US President Donald Trump has announced a new wave of “reciprocal” tariffs, set to take effect on August 1, 2025, targeting over a dozen countries—including Thailand, which now faces a steep 36% tariff on its exports to the United States.
The measure is part of a broader strategy to pressure trading partners into agreeing to more favorable trade terms with the U.S.
The tariffs, which vary by country, are as follows:
- Japan and South Korea: 25%
- Malaysia, Tunisia, Kazakhstan: 25%
- South Africa, Bosnia & Herzegovina: 30%
- Indonesia: 32%
- Bangladesh, Serbia: 35%
- Cambodia and Thailand: 36%
- Laos and Myanmar: 40% (the highest)
A 90-day pause on these tariffs—originally imposed in April—was recently extended to August 1 through executive order, providing affected countries more time to negotiate.
Trump issued formal letters to the targeted nations, outlining the consequences of failing to reach a deal before the deadline. The tariffs, initially announced in April and then paused until July 9, were reinstated via this latest communication.
Trump sent two letters to Thailand, one addressed to His Majesty the King and the other to Suriya Juengrungruengkit, the acting prime minister. The content of both letters was identical.
According to The Straits Times, Trump began with his East Asian allies, informing Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung that their countries would face 25% tariffs starting in August.
Within hours, similar letters reached most Southeast Asian governments.
For Malaysia and Indonesia, which were in intense negotiations over the weekend, the notices specified tariffs of 25% and 32%, respectively.
Thailand received notice of a 36% tariff, consistent with Trump's earlier pronouncements. Laos and Myanmar were informed of a 40% rate.
Cambodia, however, received a more favorable adjustment: 36%, down from the original 49% announced in April.
The letters, identical in wording, were posted on Truth Social on the afternoon of July 7.
