Thailand Foreign Minister said that countries in Southeast Asia should look for ways to improve the integration of supply chains at regional and world level, in order to benefit economically from savings and expansion to new and wide markets. During an interview in Kuala Lumpur, Maris Sangalbongsa explained that some countries in the region are already working together to produce more complicated goods such as semiconductors, and that the officials of the Association of Southeast Asian countries “Asean” realized the potential provided by the merger in global supply chains. “This is the primary way that leads to integration, more deepen our relationships and increases the integration of Asyan members,” Maris said. He continued, “We must share the benefits in the manufacturing sector. This means that we participate in the opportunities available in the supply chains directed to world markets.” Maris answers a question about anxiety about the flow of cheap imports to Thailand. An increasing concern about cheap Chinese goods showed a recording of last month. Summary heads of Thai enterprises included that approximately 71% of participants were concerned about the flow of cheap Chinese goods to the Thailand market, leading to a decline in the use of production capacity and perhaps closing more factories. He said: “If large quantities of Chinese products flow, it also helps the Thai economy, because people can buy products at cheaper prices than those produced locally.” “What I am trying to say is that we must work and seek to achieve the benefits of collaboration with Asean to integrate with the global supply chain.” The increase in trade between China and ASEAN The economic relations between China and Southeast Asia have seen a remarkable improvement over the past few years, supported by free trade agreements and efforts to avoid US customs targets, requesting Chinese and multinational companies to increase the trade and investment in the ASEAN region. According to the US “Rhodium Group” business, Vietnam was the largest recipient of Chinese industrial investments last year, followed by Indonesia, as both countries received new Chinese industrial projects with a value of about $ 3 billion each. Maris spoke on Sunday after his meeting with Foreign Ministers of Asean, who met in preparation for the leadership of the leaders scheduled this week. The most important axes of the summit include complications associated with the global trade war, and the handling of tension in the relationship between major powers. Washington prefers bilateral talks that the United States indicated that it would not negotiate with the Asean countries as a united block, but would rather hold bilateral discussions with the member states. Trade -dependent countries within the ‘Asean’ association accelerate negotiation with the United States to reduce the imposed customs ranging between 10% and 49%. Many countries have already promised to increase their purchases from a wide variety of US goods, to increase their position in the demand of lowering fees. The importance of the urgent action is that Asia, which produces most commodities in the world, is one of the areas most vulnerable to the global trade war. An accurate balance between Washington and Beijing Maris said that countries should be able to face safety and economic concerns with both the two major powers, as choosing a party in each issue is not a practical option separately. China was the largest commercial partner of the Asean Association in 2024, with a total trade of $ 770 billion. Thailand expressed his willingness to talk to the United States last year – the largest market for its exports – after submitting a proposal to explain how it will increase the import of US goods and investments in the United States and increase bilateral collaboration. Thailand expects its trade surplus to shrink by $ 15 billion annually with the United States – which falls from about $ 45 billion last year – thanks to its recent initiatives to prevent the abuse of the origin rules in exports. US drawings to “Brics” also imposed customs duties after Thailand joined the “Brics” group – which includes in its membership China without America – as a partner, who is supposed to help it in hedging uncertainty by opening roads to other world markets. Maris said that Thailand is looking for full membership of “Brics”, but he cannot determine the date for this.
Thai Minister: Asyan must continue to integrate into global supply chains
