USABC Leads 34 American Companies in High-Level Engagements with New Royal Thai Government
(Bangkok) – The US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) led a delegation of 34 member companies to Bangkok from November 3 to 5 for its 2026 Thailand Business Mission, engaging the new Royal Thai Government to strengthen U.S.-Thailand economic ties and advance shared trade and investment priorities. The mission was led by Amb. Brian McFeeters (ret.), USABC President and CEO.
"Prime Minister Anutin has laid out an ambitious vision for Thailand's economic future, and the U.S. private sector stands ready to help turn that vision into reality," said Amb. McFeeters. "Our delegation of 34 leading U.S. companies brought concrete investment priorities, innovative solutions, and a shared commitment to strengthening Thailand's competitiveness as a regional hub for investment, innovation, and advanced industries."
At Government House, the delegation met with Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul to present USABC’s priorities across key industry sectors. The Prime Minister reaffirmed the United States as Thailand's most important economic partner and outlined his government's ambitions to position Thailand among the world's 20 most competitive economies by 2030 and achieve high-income status by 2037. He highlighted the Thailand Fast Pass program, aimed at cutting approval times for qualifying investments by half, and welcomed greater U.S. investment in semiconductors, advanced electronics, artificial intelligence, and the digital economy.
The delegation also held high-level meetings with senior government officials, including Deputy Prime Ministers Yodchanan Wongsawat (Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation) and Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn (Transport); Minister Varawut Silpa-archa (Industry); Vice Ministers Archawat Chareonsilp (Finance) and Vijavat Isarabhakdi (Foreign Affairs); House Economic Development Committee Chairman Veerayooth Kanchoochat, and others. U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Sean O'Neill and senior U.S. Embassy officials joined the delegation for its high-level engagements.
Across these meetings, discussions centered on ensuring policy continuity, addressing barriers to trade and investment, and deepening bilateral cooperation in digital innovation, health and life sciences, energy, supply chain resilience, and human capital development.
On November 6, USABC also convened its inaugural Aerospace, Defense, and Security (ADS) Workshop in conjunction with the mission, bringing together 11 American ADS companies to deepen U.S.-Thailand defense and security cooperation through industry partnerships, technological innovation, and strategic dialogue. The full-day workshop brought together senior Thai defense officials and industry leaders, as well as representatives from the U.S. Embassy and the Joint United States Military Advisory Group Thailand (JUSMAGTHAI).