THAILAND TRADE AGREEMENT AND COMPLIANCE

UNCLAS BANGKOK 006039 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EB/TPP/MTA EKOCH STATE PASS USTR FOR HIRSH USDOC FOR TCC/4110 USDA FOR ITP/FAS/BERTSCH E.O. 12958:N/A TAGS: ECON ETRD EAGR TH SUBJECT: THAILAND TRADE AGREEMENT AND COMPLIANCE REFTEL: STATE 152063 ¶1. Thailand's trade relationship with the U.S. is guided primarily by each country's commitments in the World Trade Organization. Negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement began in 2004 but have been delayed due to continuing political troubles in Thailand, and its completion before expiration of Trade Promotion Authority in 2007 is uncertain. Thailand is a signatory with the U.S. on a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement and a Treaty of Amity and Economic Relations. ¶2. Embassy Bangkok conducts a regular bimonthly "Econ Cluster" meeting which reviews economic developments including trade barrier complaints. The Econ Cluster is chaired by the DCM and includes representatives from the economic section, FCS, FAS, USAID and Public Affairs. ¶3. The economic section is tasked with monitoring RTG compliance with WTO and other international agreements and conventions. FCS deals with market access issues and trade barrier complaints from individual U.S. companies. FAS handles market access and trade barriers to U.S. food and agricultural exports. ¶4. This year FCS has organized regular meetings with U.S. business leaders from specific industries to hear trade concerns and develop plans of action to address them. To date the Ambassador has met with the pharmaceutical, consumer goods and transportation industries. ¶5. Contact point for Embassy Bangkok for compliance reporting is Peter Thorin, Economic Officer. Email: ThorinPD@state.gov. ARVIZU