Trump ordered stiff tariffs on dozens of trading partners in an effort to reshape global trade in favour of the US economy.
Thailand has been negotiating with Washington for weeks, seeking a reduction in the threatened 36% levy on key exports.
“This finalised deal, setting US import tariffs at 19%, marks a major success for Thailand,” Thai government spokesman Jirayu Huangsab said in a statement.
“It represents a win-win approach aimed at preserving Thailand’s export base and long-term economic stability.”
The United States’ goods trade deficit with Thailand hit US$45.6 billion (B1.495 trillion) in 2024, up 11.7% from the year before, according to US Trade Representative data.
Thailand has struggled to reignite its economy since the COVID-19 pandemic, when travel restrictions hammered the key tourism sector.
The Thai government in May cut its 2025 economic growth forecast to 2.3-3.3%, from 3.2-4.2%, citing uncertainty over tariffs. Growth in 2024 was 2.5%.
The tariff announcement on Thursday in Washington came days after Trump threatened to block trade deals with Thailand and Cambodia unless they ended a deadly border clash.
Five days of heavy border clashes between the two neighbours ‒ their deadliest in decades ‒ left more than 40 people dead and 300,000 evacuated from their homes.