Thai exports face US Section 301 risk over forced-labour concerns

SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2026 | The Nation Editorial Team สลับเป็นเสียงผู้ชาย Play Loading... Thai businesses are concerned about possible US trade measures, although no final decision has been announced on a reported 12.5% tariff. The United States is considering imposing trade measures on Thailand under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 due to concerns over forced labor in its supply chains. The investigation primarily targets Thailand's fishing and seafood industries, which have faced previous scrutiny over labor practices. A potential 12.5% tariff on Thai goods is under consideration, which would harm Thailand's competitiveness in the US, its largest export market. The Thai government is actively negotiating with the US to demonstrate its efforts in combating forced labor through improved legislation and supply-chain oversight to avoid the tariffs. The United States is again emerging as a major challenge for Thailand 's export sector amid moves to consider trade measures against Thai goods under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 .