U.S. Trade Crackdown Puts Thai Exports Under Scrutiny

According to an analysis by Associate Professor Dr. Aat Pisanwanich of Rangsit University, Thailand faces increased scrutiny following the release of the 'The Great Transshipment Scam: Rise, Scope, and Costs' report on August 13, 2026. The report highlights U.S. efforts to combat trade fraud and the circumvention of trade measures, specifically targeting goods that may be mislabeled to avoid tariffs.

Dr. Aat noted that Thailand is currently categorized as 'Tier 2' in the report. Eight specific Thai industries, particularly those relying on raw materials and components from China, are now at risk of intensive origin and production process audits. The analysis estimates that between 172 billion and 345 billion baht (approximately $5.2 billion) in Thai exports could be affected by these heightened U.S. trade enforcement measures.

For residents and business owners in Thailand, this development may lead to increased administrative requirements for export documentation and potential supply chain disruptions for companies importing Chinese components. While the report outlines the scope of the risk, it remains to be confirmed which specific companies will be targeted for audits and how quickly the U.S. will implement these enforcement actions. Stakeholders are advised to monitor official trade updates as the situation evolves.