Trump wants to reduce US trade deficit with Thailand

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In a meeting that signaled warming ties between Washington and Bangkok, US President Donald Trump told Thailand's Prime Minister that he wanted to reduce the America's trade deficit with the country.

Trump put Thailand in the spotlight when he sat down with Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha in the Oval Office, making it the latest country that Trump has sought to improve trade ties with.

US President Donald Trump /Reuters Photo

“Our relationship on trade is becoming more important and it’s a great country to trade with,” Trump told the Thai official before reporters. “I think we’re going to try to sell a little bit more to you, if that’s possible.”

The US Trade Representative’s office reported that the US trade deficit with Thailand was 18.9 billion US dollar last year, the 11th largest faced by the United States.

The meeting was a sign of improved ties between the United States and Thailand, after the relationship cooled when the Thai military took power in a 2014 coup.

Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai /Reuters Photo

Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai hailed the meeting between the leaders as “special.” “It shows special attention for the Thai prime minister,” Don told official Thai media traveling with the delegation.

Don used the visit as an opportunity to praise his government’s achievements. “If we weren’t good, they probably wouldn’t invite us,” he said.

Compared with the Trump's administration, the Obama administration was deeply critical of the Thai junta and refused to extend an invitation to Prayuth to the White House.

VCG Photo

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson visited Bangkok in August in what was the highest level visit to Thailand by a US official since the coup.

Prayuth and members of his cabinet will also meet with representatives of Thai businesses in the United States during the three-day visit.

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Source(s): AFP ,Reuters