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Thailand Benefits From Bush's Policies if He Wins in Election: Report
Despite the lack of official US election results, Thai business and political leaders have spoken in favor of a Bush administration, believing that there would be more trade benefits for the country than from a Gore administration, which would be more concerned with peripheral trade issues, The Nation newspaper reported November 10.
Those interviewed by The Nation recently expressed greater enthusiasm for a Bush administration.
Thai Deputy Prime Minister Supachai Panitchpakdi was quoted as saying that if Bush were elected, Thailand would benefit from his free-trade policies.
"His policy would ensure that the new round of World Trade Organization (WTO) talks would take place. Meanwhile, Al Gore is focusing on environmental and social policies as well as human rights. Those policies might cause trouble for the new round of WTO talks," he said.
However, Supachai noted, Thailand needs to strengthen its competitiveness in the world markets no matter who is elected.
Sarasin Viraphol, executive vice president of Thai agribusiness giant Charoen Pokphand Group, was quoted as saying that Thailand would have a more sympathetic ear if Bush wins the election.
Although Bush is not personally well versed in Asian affairs, his advisers know Asia well, especially China. Sarasin said it would be easier to deal with the Republican Party on trade issues, while a Gore administration would place greater emphasis on child-labor and other social issues.
Sarasin said the United States is run by a coalition of interests, so Thailand must do more homework to defend its own interests, regardless of who eventually becomes the next president.
Sarasin cited the Thai chicken industry as an example. CP cannot sell its products in the United States due to certain restrictions, whereas Thailand is a major buyer of US soybean and maize, he said.
Krisda Piampongsant, an official at the Thai Embassy in Washington, said one of Bush's key policies is to stimulate demand by cutting taxes, which is good for the intermediate term.
Secondly, he said, a Bush administration would be more likely to support the start of the WTO's next round of negotiations to further open up world trade.
A Gore administration would emphasize the social safety net and other social issues that could be tied with trade. As a result, it may be more difficult to start the next round of WTO negotiations, Krisda said.
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