Thailand rules out linking US defence cooperation to tariff talks

Thailand has firmly rejected the idea of connecting its defence and security cooperation with the United States to ongoing tariff negotiations. Defence Ministry spokesman Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri affirmed on Monday that national security, sovereignty and public safety must remain separate from any trade discussions. This stance follows inquiries about potential links between recent visits by senior US defence officials and Thailand’s tariff talks with Washington.

Both Thai and US officials involved in the negotiations expressed confusion over these claims. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is slated to visit Thailand in the near future, potentially to sign the Joint Vision Statement 2026, which aims to outline the next framework for Thai-US defence collaboration. However, Surasant noted that the document is still under joint drafting and its signing has not been confirmed.

He also cautioned that the visit would not include the signing of the agreement. Hegseth’s visit is expected to include a meeting with Thai Defence Minister Lieutenant General Adul Boonthumjaroen. Thailand and the United States have a robust military relationship, including the annual Cobra Gold exercise and other joint operations.

Discussions about expanding defence-industrial cooperation, such as potential drone collaboration, are at a conceptual stage and have not progressed to any specific proposals for the US to establish a drone manufacturing facility in Thailand. Thailand and the US are also exploring closer cooperation in addressing emerging security threats, including those related to artificial intelligence, cyberspace, and space.

Surasant emphasized that any security-related discussions would remain distinct from Thailand’s tariff negotiations with the United States.