PM: US AI Choice Separate From Thai Trade Talks
Thailand's prime minister says the country's neutral stance on US-China AI competition won't affect trade negotiations, insisting security and commercial talks operate under separate frameworks.
At 8:35 a.m. on August 17 at Don Mueang Royal Thai Air Force Base, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Interior Minister addressed the situation where the United States is preparing to press multiple countries to take sides in the AI competition with China. When asked whether Thailand's neutral position would impact trade negotiations, the PM said there should be no connection because each issue operates under separate negotiation conditions. He questioned what it means to "take sides" and at what level it would be considered as such, noting that negotiations are still ongoing.
The PM noted that this mirrors last week's visit by US Assistant Secretary of Defense, who confirmed that security matters, military training cooperation, and defense support are separate from trade negotiations, with both sides affirming this distinction. When asked whether frequent visits from senior US defense officials constituted pressure on Thailand, Anutin denied it, saying all interactions occur in a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation. He added that the officials even call each other by first names—when asked to use a first name instead of "Minister," the US official asked to be called by his first name, and when called "Mr. Prime Minister," Anutin responded, "Call me Anutin."
