(AseanAll)  — On 4 November 2026, Vijavat Isarabhakdi, Thai Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, represented the Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs in welcoming a delegation from the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) during their annual visit to Thailand. The delegation was led by Ambassador Brian D. McFeeters (Ret.), President and CEO of USABC, and included representatives from 32 U.S. companies.

The Vice Minister outlined key government policy priorities in enhancing confidence in the Thai economy and overall policy directions, as well as outlined how the Ministry is advancing economic diplomacy toward these ends. In this connection, the Ministry plays a particularly important role in translating the Government's economic policies into concrete outcomes and in strengthening cooperation with international partners, particularly the United States, one of Thailand's key economic partners. He also underscored the importance of concluding negotiations on the Thailand-U.S. Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART), with a view to further enhancing economic relations between the two countries.

Both sides exchanged views on ways to deepen the Thailand–U.S. economic partnership, as well as on the outcomes of the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group, held in Bangkok. Discussion also covered efforts to create a more business-friendly environment as well as enhancing cooperation in energy, innovation, and human capital development, and promoting closer public-private collaboration to address challenges arising from the evolving global economic and trade landscape.

The Vice Minister also hosted a reception for the delegation with participation by executives of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade of Thailand and the Federation of Thai Industries.