Ex-Pheu Thai Spokesman Proposes Four-Point Plan Against US Tariffs
Former Pheu Thai spokesman Prom Pongsa proposes a four-point economic plan to counter US tariffs of 12.5% on Thai goods, which could cost the economy over one trillion baht and threaten exports, jobs, and SMEs. His plan includes establishin
On July 25, 2569, Prom Pongsa Nopruetthi, former spokesman of the Pheu Thai Party, said the United States has imposed a 12.5% tariff rate on Thai goods. While Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has correctly ordered all ministries to integrate data to support the trade negotiation team with the United States, the US trade measures could impact Thai exports by more than one trillion baht, according to international trade experts. Although Thailand and the United States maintain a strong and long-standing trade partnership, these tariffs will inevitably affect exports, investment, employment, Thai entrepreneurs, and SMEs—a vital pillar of the national economy. Prom Pongsa urged the government to urgently prepare and proactively implement measures to contain the impact and prevent it from spreading to employment, public income, and cost of living, and proposed four measures:
1. Establish a National Economic War Room to monitor trade impacts, assess the situation daily, coordinate with the private sector, and accelerate negotiations with the US to reduce trade barriers, while opening new markets in the Middle East, South Asia, Africa, and other trading partners to reduce dependence on any single market.
2. Urgently assist SME operators through low-interest credit, debt payment suspension, and reduced government fee burdens to help businesses continue operations.
3. Support product development, quality upgrades, and online market expansion abroad through government budget allocation to boost competitiveness, and accelerate promotion of Thailand's strengths in food, medical tourism, and soft power as additional revenue engines.
4. Urgently protect manufacturing and export sector workers; if factories or operators face impacts, implement job preservation measures alongside workforce skills development to prevent widespread layoffs.
Prom Pongsa emphasized that the most important task is to restore confidence in entrepreneurs and the public that Thailand remains competitive and the government has a clear action plan. Amid Middle East tensions, volatile energy prices, and global economic slowdown affecting Thailand, if all sectors cooperate and the government implements appropriate measures, the export sector, SMEs, and the Thai economy can adapt without letting the impact reach the livelihood of ordinary citizens. Thailand has weathered many crises; while tariffs may affect economic figures, what the government must protect is exports, employment, and the people's livelihood. Protecting the market protects jobs, income, and the future of Thai people—that is success citizens can truly feel.
