Bid to ward off us trade blow

Somkiat Triratpan, deputy-director general of the Trade Negotiations Department, said an unofficial meeting with the US Trade Representative soon aimed to provide more information on Thailand's trade regulations.

Thailand wants to maintain tax privileges under the Generalised System of Preferences and convince the US to upgrade its status on foreign trade barriers for next year. Thailand was ranked a poor performer this year.

"The meeting aims to create better understanding by the US of the Kingdom's trading system. There is misunderstanding," Somkiat said.

The estimate is a unilateral assessment of Thailand's trade. The US categorises fair and unfair trade practises of its partners by asking the opinion of American enterprises.

This year Washington said it was not satisfied with Thailand on many issues, in particular high tariffs.