EU Statement at the Trade Policy Review of Thailand, 01 December 2025
Thank you, Chair. On behalf of the European Union, I would first like to warmly welcome the Delegation of Thailand led by H.E. Ms. Kirida Bhaopichitr, Vice Minister for Commerce, as well as Thainand’;s tram in Geneva led by H.E. Mrs Pimchanok Pitfield. I would also like to thank the Discussant, H.E. Mr Petter Ølberg (Norway), for his introductory remarks and the Secretariat and Government of Thailand for their insightful reports. Let me also add our condolences for the many who have lost the lives in devastating floods in the region.
The EU welcomes this opportunity to discuss developments in Thailand's trade and economic policies and business environment since its previous WTO Trade Policy Review in 2020.
The EU and Thailand have a long-standing and well-developed economic relationship. We share a strong commitment to the WTO, and the EU looks forward to continuing to work closely with Thailand to strengthen the rules-based multilateral trading system, including through WTO reform. The EU also welcomes Thailand’s commitment to advance in the accession process to the OECD and engage in the relevant domestic economic reforms.
The EU continues to be among Thailand’s top trading partners and a major source of foreign investment. The EU is Thailand’s fourth-largest trading partner and Thailand is one of the most important destinations for European investment within ASEAN. Our bilateral relations have grown deeper since Thailand’s last TPR, with the signature and start of operation of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), and the relaunch of negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
The EU looks forward to continuing engaging with Thailand towards a high-quality agreement that can support more integrated and resilient supply chains and enhance Thailand’s competitiveness and attractiveness for economic operators. This is in line with the priorities Thailand has set under its 20-year National Strategy, including the achievement of high-income status by 2037 and the establishment of Competitiveness Enhancement and Green Growth as key overarching strategies.
Considering these medium- and long-term perspectives set by Thailand, please let me recall a few issues of concern to the EU, as also reflected in our written questions. Addressing these issues could serve as critical enabling factors for enhancing Thailand's economic and business environment.
Regarding services and investment, we would encourage Thailand to take steps toward easing restrictions under the Foreign Business Act and related regulations, lifting foreign equity caps, reducing market concentration in key services such as logistics, distribution and telecommunications, and streamlining and accelerating licensing procedures for foreign operators.
On trade in goods, the EU would like to encourage Thailand to move towards a more simplified tariff structure, enhance transparency and the regular review of import and export restrictions and non-automatic licensing regimes, and ensure that the design of excise taxes does not result in discriminatory treatment of imported products.
Regarding the regulatory environment, it would be important for Thailand to improve transparency and timelines for approval procedures for imports of animal- and plant-based products as well as for pest-risk analysis.
Additionally, the EU encourages Thailand to ensure that the reform of the fisheries legislation preserves a robust framework for the fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing. In this regard, we look forward to an update on Thailand’s domestic process and expected timeline for the acceptance of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.
We would like to invite Thailand to provide greater clarity on energy-relatedmeasures such as third-party access to the gas grid, the operation of the Oil Fuel Fund, the application of price caps as well as the identification of fossil-fuel support schemes.
Looking ahead, the EU hopes that Thailand will further engage in the necessary structural reforms, to increase liberalisation in the sectors that can most contribute to enhancing its competitiveness and to further integrating into regional and global value chains – including high-value manufacturing, modern services and green and digital sectors – to the benefit of the Thai economy and society as a whole.
We commend Thailand for its active role and constructive approach to the WTO’s work. Its engagement shows how much the WTO constitutes a cornerstone of its trade policy. This is reflected in the completion of implementation of its Trade Facilitation Agreement commitments. We welcome its participation in the Services Domestic Regulation JSI and Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement. We encourage Thailand’s endorsement to the 2024 stabilised text of the Electronic Commerce Agreement. The EU also encourages Thailand to join the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Agreement (MPIA), which in our view corresponds naturally to Thailand’s attachment to the rules-based trade.
We are confident that this review will serve as an occasion for Thailand to review its relevant policies and measures with a view to furthering the openness, and effectiveness and predictability of its trade environment, which will in turn strengthen its position in the global economy.
On behalf of the EU, we look forward to a constructive exchange and wish Thailand a very productive and successful 9th review. Thank you.