BANGKOK (Reuters) -Thailand’s economic growth may slow down over the next two years due to steep U.S. tariffs, but state-owned banks will provide support to exporters and supply chain businesses affected, its finance minister said on Thursday.
“Within the next two years, we should see quite a few stumbles. The ones who will stumble are likely to be in the export sector,” minister Pichai Chunhavajira said at a meeting with state-owned banks.
However, Thailand is not expected to see a greater tariff impact than other countries, Pichai said.
Thailand faces a 36% U.S. tariff if a reduction cannot be negotiated with Washington before a moratorium expires in July. The United States has set a 10% tariff for most nations while the moratorium is in place.
Thailand has sent a trade proposal to the United States as part of its efforts to avoid the high tariffs.
In a statement, Pichai said the government plans soft loans worth 100 billion baht ($3 billion) to support impacted supply chain businesses and exporters of goods to the United States, as well as those affected by increased imports from China.
State-owned banks will also prepare measures to boost the agricultural and property sectors, as well as offering interest rate reductions for those impacted.
($1 = 33.3800 baht)
(Reporting by Orathai Sriring, Kitipphong Thaichareon and Thanadech Staporncharnchai; Editing by John Mair, Martin Petty)
