BANGKOK, Oct 28 (TNA) – Thai authorities still have six months to discuss with the United States its decision to suspend tariff exemption under its Generalized System of Preferences for Thai exports, Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said.
Gen Prayut said that the US suspended GSP for not only Thailand but also other countries. The US had given GSP privileges to Thailand for nine years and might think it was time for the suspension, he said, referring to the US’s decision to suspend GSP for Thailand next April.
As the US cited labour issues in Thailand as its reason, Gen Prayut said the government would solve labour issues as much as it could.
“The government assures that it will try its best… We respect their rules. It is useless to panic or blame one another,” the prime minister said.
He also said that the GSP suspension covered 571 Thai export items but actually Thailand exported its products to the US only in about 300 items.
“Six months remain and Thailand will find ways to negotiation. If we cannot make it, we will accept it because it is their law… Do not make any criticisms that will worsen situations. Relations between Thailand and the US remain good and the US is an important trading partner of Thailand,” Gen Prayut said. (TNA)
