Secretariat
National Assoc. of Manufacturers
US-ASEAN Business Council

Corporate Co-Chairs
Chevron
FedEx
General Electric Company
New York Life International
QUALCOMM Inc
TimeWarner


coalition@usthaifta.org

Steering Committee Members
AIG
AMCHAM Thailand
American Chemistry Council
American Forest and Paper Assn
Business Round Table
Cargill
Caterpillar
The Chubb Corporation
Citigroup
Corn Refiners Association
Coalition of Service Industries
Discovery Communications
Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America
Ford Motor Company
Grocery Manufacturers of America
Microsoft Corporation
National Pork Producers Council
PhRMA
Securities Industry Association
Starbucks Coffee
UPS
US Chamber of Commerce

The US-Thailand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Business Coalition is a coalition of organizations and companies strongly committed to promoting the negotiation, passage, and implementation of a meaningful and comprehensive bilateral FTA between the United States and Thailand. Made up of approximately 100 US organizations and companies from a broad range of industries, the Coalition is the premier voice representing US business interests in the US-Thailand FTA process.

Background

President George Bush and Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra announced the intention to negotiate a US Thailand FTA on October 19, 2003 during President Bush's state visit to Thailand on the eve of the APEC Leaders Meeting in Bangkok. In response, the US business community has formed the US Thailand FTA Business Coalition. The role of the Coalition is to lobby for a premium agreement, and to ensure US business' interests are well represented. It will work to ensure that both negotiating parties stay focused on completing the agreement in good time, and then on passage of the agreement through required government processes. The Coalition is also a leading source of educational information about the agreement, the importance of the US-Thai relationship, and the benefits of an agreement for US industrial, service and agriculture sectors.

Structure of the Coalition

Companies interested in playing an active role in ensuring their industry priorities are addressed in the negotiation of the US Thailand FTA are encouraged to join the Coalition.

The US Thailand FTA Business Coalition is made up of four key components: general Coalition membership, Steering Committee, Corporate Co-Chairs, and the Secretariat.

US companies interested in receiving regular updates, meeting invitations, and recognition as supporting the US Thailand FTA are encouraged to join the general Coalition membership (signup for below). Currently consisting of nearly 100 companies, the general membership is made up of a large and strong group of companies and organizations.

US companies interested in playing a leadership role in the Coalition are encouraged to join the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee is currently made up of approximately 20 US organizations and companies representing a broad range of key industry sectors and looking to play a more active roll in supporting the FTA process. Steering Committee members will enjoy the benefits of regular membership, while also being offered the opportunity to support events and initiatives related to promoting advancements on the FTA process through event sponsorship and participation in leadership meetings. For more information on how to join the Steering Committee, please contact coalition@usthaifta.org or call 202-416-6705.

In addition to the general membership and the Steering Committee, the US Thailand FTA Business Coalition will also be made up of six Corporate Co-Chairs who will lead the Coalition. The corporate Co-Chairs are companies that are prepared to commit significant levels of leadership to the Coalition in the form of expert personnel, sponsorship for key events and studies, participation in programs and meetings, and other efforts. FedEx, General Electric Company, New York Life International, QUALCOMM Inc., TimeWarner, and Unocal make up this division of the Coalition.

Finally, the US ASEAN Business Council and the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) will serve as the co-Secretariat of the Coalition. The Secretariat is the focal point for organizing meetings, agendas, and sharing information among the Coalition principles and partners in the US and Thai governments and private sectors.
Committees may be formed as needed, but there is clear intention to have a proactive Congressional Committee to oversee and manage Hill education, outreach, lobbying, and grassroots campaigning. The NAM would chair that committee.

If you have further questions, please email coalition@usthaifta.org or call 202-416-6705.

Important Materials

CRS Report on Current US-Thailand Relations, Congressional Research Service [PDF]

Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights under TRIPs: A Case Study of Thailand, by Judge Vichai Ariyanuntaka [PDF]

Full Text of the Australia-Thailand FTA

Press Release: The Situation in the Southern Provinces of Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs, April 30, 2004 [Adobe PDF]

Full Transcript of the Public Hearing for the Proposed FTA Negotiations with Thailand Office of the US Trade Representative, March 30, 2004 [Microsoft Word]

PRESS RELEASE: US Thailand FTA Business Coalition Official Rollout Takes Place in the US Capitol March 23, 2004

"Join the Friends of Thailand Caucus" Dear Colleague letter from Rep. Camp and Rep. Jefferson, January 29, 2004
For Microsoft Word format, click here

  CRS Study on US-Thailand FTA Negotiations (RL 32314) [Adobe PDF]

  TDRI Study on Impact of FTA with Thailand [Adobe PDF]

Fourth WTO Trade Policy Review of Thailand November 14, 2003

Letter to President George Bush signed by members of Congress encouraging the intention to negotiate a US-Thailand FTA, October 10, 2003 [Adobe PDF]

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