U.S.-Thailand Free Trade Agreement

U.S.-Thailand FTA Overview
U.S.-Thailand FTA News
U.S.-Thailand FTA & Agriculure
U.S.-Thailand FTA & Labor
U.S.-Thailand FTA & Access to Medicines

U.S.-Thailand FTA Overview
The U.S. Trade Representative’s office has begun negotiations with Thailand for a bilateral “free trade” and investment agreement, the prospects for which are already highly controversial in both countries. The two countries hope to finish negotiations next year.

In the U.S., the agreement would threaten manufacturing workers producing trucks and cars, as well as rice, sugar, chicken, and other farmers, and certain sectors of the seafood industry – especially shrimp. On the Thai side, where approximately 1.6% of adults are estimated to be infected with HIV or AIDS, civil society groups have already begun to campaign against the expected damage the deal would wreak on AIDS/HIV patients’ and other medical patients’ ongoing access to affordable medicines. The agreement may also meet with strong opposition in Thailand due to its potential impact on Thai sovereignty, including the possible restructuring of Thai laws that have traditionally restricted foreign ownership of property. Businesses in Thailand that profit off of “pirated” American products like CD’s, DVD’s, and software stand to lose under the agreement as the U.S. is demanding that Thailand enact tough new copyright protections. Environmentalists fear the effect the FTA could have on Thailand’s valuable natural resources, home to several endangered species.

Congressional critics also question the wisdom of negotiating a trade agreement with Thailand when the current administration of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra pursues objectionable policies in several areas. Some Members of Congress have criticized Thaksin’s close relationship with neighboring Burma’s military dictatorship. Thaksin met with international condemnation from the United Nations and other institutions, governments, and human rights monitors due to an ongoing crack down on narcotics that has left as many as 3,000 dead. Thaksin has also been criticized for consolidating a significant portion of the media under his control.

Among the corporations advocating for the trade and investment agreement are Unocal, General Motors, and Nike.

U.S.-Thailand FTA News
FTA Talks Revived AFP, June 25, 2008
Japan aide urges U.S. Congress approve Korea trade deal Reuters, December 7, 2007
Thailand Delays Free Trade Moves Wall Street Journal, March 3, 2006
Thailand Suspends US Free Trade Talks Due to Poll Reuters, March 1, 2006
Thai Trade Negotiator With US Resigns After Criticism Associated Press, January 19, 2006
Thousands Protest Against US-Thai Trade Talks Reuters, January 9, 2006
10,000 Expected to Protest US Free Trade Talks The Nation (Thailand), January 6, 2006
Technical Discussions Dominate US-Thai FTA Round Bridges, October 5, 2005
Thailand Says Trade Pact Could Take Time Associated Press, September 21, 2005