Thailand Urged to Balance Trade Amid US-China Economic Shifts

According to an analysis by Ath Pisanwanich, a lecturer at the Faculty of Economics at Rangsit University, as reported by Khaosod Online, Thailand faces significant economic challenges due to its trade structure with China and the United States. Data from 2025 indicates that ASEAN countries, particularly Thailand and Vietnam, are experiencing high trade deficits with China while maintaining significant trade surpluses with the U.S.

In 2025, total trade between China and ASEAN reached approximately $1.06 trillion. China exported $666.2 billion to the region while importing $389.6 billion, resulting in a $276.6 billion deficit for ASEAN. Thailand recorded $103.7 billion in imports from China, leading to a trade deficit of $53.8 billion with the country. Pisanwanich suggests that Thailand must urgently seek a better trade balance to navigate these pressures.

For residents and travelers, this economic landscape may influence the availability and pricing of imported goods, as well as broader shifts in local industrial policy. While the analysis provides a framework for understanding these trade pressures, it remains to be seen how the Thai government will respond to these academic recommendations or if specific policy changes will be enacted to address the trade imbalance. Observers should monitor official government announcements for any concrete shifts in trade strategy.