Thai Finance Ministry and cbank to assess impact of U.S. tariffs

BANGKOK, April 15 (Reuters) - Thailand's finance ministry and the Bank of Thailand will meet this week to assess the impact of U.S. tariff policies on the economy and mitigating measures, the ministry said on Tuesday, ahead of talks with U.S. officials set for early next week.

The discussions with the central bank will include monetary easing and relaxing banking restrictions to help exporters with currency volatility, the ministry said in a statement.

Thailand's holding of U.S. government bonds will also be examined to ensure long-term financial stability, the statement said.

The meeting comes ahead of talks between Thai and U.S. officials in Washington, slated for April 21, which will include Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira and Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan, according to the Thai government.

Southeast Asia's second-largest economy faces a 36% tariff under U.S. President Donald Trump's threatened trade measures, and is hoping to use a 90-day pause on the levies to prepare a response.

The United States was Thailand's largest export market last year with shipments of $55 billion. Washington has put its bilateral trade deficit with Thailand at $45.6 billion.

The finance ministry previously forecast a one percentage point drop in economic growth if the tariffs are implemented. The economy was targeted to grow 3.0% this year, after growing 2.5% in 2024.

As part of the trade negotiations, Thailand has said it would increase imports of U.S. goods such as natural gas, cut tariffs on corn, jointly invest in the energy sector and ensure other countries were not using Thailand to circumvent U.S. taxes.

The central bank's next policy review is on April 30.