Government reports progress on multiple fronts in 10th round of Thailand-EU FTA talks, pushes ahead with Thailand-UAE CEPA
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Ms. Lalida Periswiwatana, Deputy Government Spokesperson, disclosed that the government is pressing ahead with expanding trade and investment opportunities in European and Middle Eastern markets through the Thailand-European Union Free Trade Agreement, or Thailand-EU FTA, and by advancing the Thailand-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, or Thailand-UAE CEPA. Ms. Supajee Suthumpun, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, disclosed that the 10th round of Thailand-EU FTA negotiations, held from 28 September to 6 October 2026 in Phuket province, saw significant progress on the text of many chapters, such as sanitary and phytosanitary measures, energy and raw materials, and rules of origin. Meanwhile, market access for goods, trade in services, investment, and government procurement made progress in the exchange of offers, though outstanding issues remain to be discussed further. Both sides continue to aim to conclude the negotiations within 2026. On the Middle East market, Ms. Supajee held talks with the UAE Minister of Foreign Trade on 23 September 2026 at the UAE Mission to the United Nations to follow up on progress in preparing the Thailand-UAE CEPA, and to discuss expanding investment cooperation and business linkages between the private sectors of the two countries. According to Ministry of Commerce data for 2025, the European Union is Thailand's 4th largest trading partner, while the United Arab Emirates is its 8th largest trading partner and its number one trading partner among the Gulf Cooperation Council, or GCC, countries and the Middle East. Thailand's key exports in both markets include gems and jewelry, air conditioners and parts, and computers, equipment, and parts. Ms. Lalida stressed that both agreements are still under negotiation, so operators should prepare in advance, but cannot yet use new tariff benefits under these agreements at this time. This applies especially to small and medium-sized enterprises, or SMEs, which should study product and destination-country information, check import standards and conditions, production costs, and prepare evidence of the origin of raw materials and production processes to support the use of benefits under the agreements once they take effect. They must also clearly distinguish between the progress of negotiations, signing, and the entry into force of an agreement, and should not use proposals on market access and rules of origin that are still under discussion as final conditions for calculating selling prices or concluding trade contracts until details are officially announced. At the same time, the push for the Thailand-UAE CEPA is an economic cooperation specifically between Thailand and the United Arab Emirates, and does not mean that Thai goods will receive trade benefits covering all countries in the Middle East or the Arab world.