“Chakraphop” Advises Thailand to Wait for Direction Before Tax Talks After Trump Shaken by Midterm Election Results - Thairath English
Chakraphop points to Trump's shaken position following the midterm elections and advises Thailand to wait for a clear direction before tax negotiations, warning to watch the last two years closely to avoid impacts on Thailand.
On 5 Nov 2026 GMT+7, Mr. Chakraphop Penkhae, a party-list MP from the Pheu Thai Party, analyzed the U.S. midterm election results as a political defeat inflicting wounds on President Donald Trump and a significant signal for governance in the remaining two years. He suggested Thailand assess U.S. political directions clearly before advancing trade tax talks and to closely monitor effects on energy markets.
Chakraphop said preliminary election figures show Democrats holding 54 Senate seats versus 44 for Republicans. Though unofficial, these numbers help assess the situation and plan ahead. The key issue now is how Democrats will wield political power to respond to the Trump administration.
Chakraphop noted Democrats have two main options: first, negotiate with Trump to advance key issues each side wants. This approach suits Trump’s style but requires weighing what each side gains or loses from any agreement.
Alternatively, Democrats may employ congressional committees to investigate alleged misconduct by the Trump administration, increasing pressure on the executive and potentially hindering policy progress throughout the remaining term.
Chakraphop compared ongoing investigations to slowly draining Trump's political strength, leading to a lame-duck government and affecting Republican popularity ahead of the next presidential election. Though voters have sent a message, the intensity of pressure depends on the Democrats’ chosen strategy.
For Thailand, Chakraphop highlighted two key concerns: energy prices and trade tax negotiations with the U.S., as shifts in U.S. political power could influence foreign policy stances and the executive’s negotiating leverage.
Regarding energy, Chakraphop assessed that if political pressure limits Trump’s ability to pursue conflict-related policies, especially regarding Iran, global oil market dealings and price negotiations might become more flexible, easing concerns over oil and LPG supplies. However, the magnitude of this impact remains unclear.
On trade tax talks, Chakraphop recommended Thailand wait for U.S. political situations to stabilize to observe Democratic actions and Trump’s responses before deciding the timing and approach to negotiations.
“Do not negotiate now; let events settle first to see how the players will act,” Chakraphop said.
Thailand’s trade talks are government-to-government (G2G) with the U.S. executive. Thailand must assess how congressional pressures affect Trump’s decisions and negotiation terms to plan appropriately and safeguard national interests.
Chakraphop concluded that the election may mark the beginning of Trump's political decline but warned not to underestimate him, as he still has two years to wield power and enact impactful policies. Thailand must prepare and ensure U.S. leadership decisions do not adversely spread to the country.
