Thailand targets reduction in trade surplus with U.S. to $20 billion, official says

BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand is aiming to reduce its trade surplus with the United States to $20 billion by importing more U.S. products, an industry official said on Friday.

Passakorn Chairat, head of industry ministry’s industrial economics office, gave no timeframe for the reduction but told a briefing the government will increase imports of agricultural products such as corn, soybeans, and ethylene, which may affect domestic products.

The commerce ministry has said Thailand had a trade surplus with the United States of $35.4 billion last year, while Washington has put its deficit with Thailand at $45.6 billion.

(Reporting by Kitiphong Thaichareon, Writing by Orathai Sriring; Editing by Martin Petty)