Update from Thailand: U.S. and Thailand Agree to Resume Formal Dialogue Under Bilateral Trade and Investment Framework Agreement

We’ve agreed that the United States and Thailand will resume our formal dialogue under our bilateral Trade and Investment Framework Agreement.  During a visit to Bangkok late last week, Assistant USTR for Southeast Asia and the Pacific Barbara Weisel reached agreement with her counterpart, Commerce Department Director General Srirat Rastapana, to resume regular meetings under the TIFA to address bilateral trade issues, to coordinate on issues in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) forums, and to develop specific initiatives that would further build our bilateral relationship.  In addition, they discussed regional trade initiatives and pathways to Asia-Pacific trade integration, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership.  The United States and Thailand will hold a TIFA meeting as soon as possible...watch for updates from USTR.