Thailand-EU trade talks reach final stage, with deal expected by end of 2026
Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said sensitive policy questions and reciprocal access to trade, services and investment sectors remain unresolved.
Thailand and the European Union are nearing the end of negotiations for a free trade agreement, with completion expected by the end of 2026. Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun reported substantial progress after the 10th negotiating round in Phuket, which ran from September 28 to October 6.
Suphajee said the outstanding issues concern sensitive policy matters and how the two sides will open their trade, services and investment sectors to each other. Other negotiating issues have been settled, including rules of origin, raw materials, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and the framework for energy.
According to the minister, both delegations agreed that the agreement should provide balanced benefits and opportunities for trade and investment.
In 2025, the 27-member EU ranked fourth among Thailand’s trading partners, behind China, the United States and Japan. Two-way trade exceeded US$43 billion, rising 3.44% from a year earlier. Thailand’s surplus with the bloc was more than US$26 billion, a year-on-year increase of 9.27%.
Key Thai exports included rubber products, gems and jewellery, computers with accessories, air conditioners with parts, and transformers with components. Major imports from the EU in 2025 included pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, chemicals, and machinery with parts.
