The United States has agreed to consider Thailand’s request for a review of the suspension of trade preferences for Thai exports, under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program, in order to mitigate the impacts on the Thai private sector.

The US move was conveyed to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha by US National Security advisor Robert C O’Brien during their talks on the side-lines of the ASEAN Summit this morning.

As head of the US delegation to the summit, and on behalf of US President Donald Trump, Mr. O’Brien handed a letter from Mr. Trump to Prime Minister Prayut, in which the president said he valued the long and close relationship between the US and Thailand and reconfirmed the US’s readiness to play a constructive role and to cooperate with Thailand and ASEAN members for mutual benefit.

On economic cooperation, both the Prime Minister and O’Brien agreed that the Indo-Pacific Business Forum today will be a good opportunity for the private sectors of ASEAN and the US to enhance their cooperation in investments in the fields of energy, digital technology and infrastructure development.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Prayut assured the US National Security Advisor of Thailand’s readiness to cooperate closely with the US, the country’s commitment to suppression of human trafficking and support for the US’s role in the region.

The Prime Minister also conveyed, through O’Brien, his wish to welcome the president and the first lady in Thailand.