Commerce not worry as US pulls back on investments

BANGKOK, Jan 23 (TNA) -- Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn expressed confident that the United States would not pull back all of its investments in the country, adding that the action would also not affect the Thai trade too much, while advising everyone to wait and see the clearer policy set by the new US leader. Ms Apiradi Tantraporn said Thailand would not be gravely affected by the 45th President of the United States Donald Trump's decision to pull out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership or TPP as Thailand has not yet become a member of the TPP. However, she said, Thailand must complete the negotiation under the ASEAN+6 framework by year's end to increase trade channels with trade partners. As for the policy by the current US president called American First, the minister said, it might not affect trading between Thailand and the US, as many American investors have remained confident in Thailand and are ready to invest more in the country. She said many American investors have voiced that not all businesses could be pulled back from foreign countries as there are various limitations in the United States itself, including the production of some products which could not be completed there, adding that they would continue to invest in ASEAN and Thailand on the production of clothing, shoes, and electronic goods. Nonetheless, the Ms Apiradi said both Thailand and ASEAN must ensure that their products are up to international standards in order to cope with the stricter regulations. She stressed both the operation plan and policy of President Trump remained unclear and everyone must and will keep a close watch on what is going to happen next. (TNA)