Thailand's trade deficit with China reached a record high of $36 billion in 2023, up from $29 billion in 2022.
This deficit, which has been increasing for five years, results from the fact that Thailand imports more goods from China than it exports.
In 2023, Thailand's imports from China totaled $105 billion, while its exports were only $69 billion.
According to Chaichan Charoensuk, chairman of the Shippers' Council of Thailand and the Exporters' Council, China is Thailand's largest trading partner, accounting for 22 percent of the country's total trade.
Thailand imports a wide range of products from China, including electronics, machinery and chemicals.
Thailand mainly exports agricultural products, such as rubber, rice and seafood, to China.
The trade deficit is mainly due to increased imports of intermediate goods, such as electronics and machinery, used to produce finished products for export, but which are not considered exports per se.
The trade deficit with China is a major concern for the Thai government, which is trying to reduce it through various means:
- By promoting Thai exports to China.
- By improving the quality of Thai products to make it easier for Thai companies to export to China.
- By attracting Chinese investment to Thailand.
- By offering incentives to Chinese companies.
- By negotiating free trade agreements with other countries that are not major exporters to China.
The trade deficit is also a sign of the challenges facing Thai manufacturers.
With the growth of its economy, China has become a major producer of manufactured goods.
This has made it more difficult for Thai companies to compete with Chinese producers, leading to an increase in imports of Chinese products.
See also:
China-Thailand visa waiver revives fears of 'zero dollar' tourism
Beijing wants to speed up construction of China-Thailand railway
Thailand to increase exports to China through rail network
China's rise in Thailand sparks growing fear
Source: The Nation Thailand
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1 comment
And it's not going to get better. By remaining static on many levels.
Whether it is education, politics, or economics, refractory nationalism will only worsen the situation of the Thai people.
To proclaim loudly that we are nationalists and not to have a Thai car brand or Thai household appliance.
Where is the Thai motorcycle brand located?
Governments prefer to be slaves to outside companies than to be masters in their own house.
It's not my problem. If I have to learn Chinese one day, I'll learn it.