Ministry of Commerce concerns over US, China dispute over tariffs

BANGKOK, March 26 (TNA) -- The Ministry of Commerce has ordered related departments to monitor the washout from the US government's decision to raise taxes on 1,300 technology related products from China. Chutima Bunyapraphasara, the deputy Commerce Minister admitted that the US's decision to raise taxes on 1,300 Chinese technological goods may directly affect Thailand's electronics exports as China is the leading market for Thai electronics. Ms Chutima revealed that she has ordered related departments to identify each type of category of the 1,300 goods targeted and determine how this will affect Thailand so that an appeal can be made to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) for fair treatment. Vitally the rate of influx of said products into the domestic market must also be determined to lessen the impact on local industries. With regards to the US's tax hike on steel and aluminium which came into affect on Friday, local exporters and their US importers are reported to be preparing to apply for a dispensation with the US government for a tariff exemption. Ms Chutima admitted that the ongoing trade clash between the US and China; and the British Exit from the European Union (Brexit) concern was worrying the Ministry as all three countries- the US, China and Britain were the main markets for Thailand's exports. (TNA)