On 24 April 2026, Ms. Jaithai Upakarnitikaset, Deputy Director-General of the Department of American and South Pacific Affairs, met with Mr. Kevin Toohers, Regional Manager for Southeast Asia and the Pacific of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA). They discussed supporting cooperation aimed at promoting economic growth and development in various areas.
The Deputy Director-General expressed appreciation to the USTDA for the longstanding partnership in supporting development in Thailand. The USTDA is currently prioritizing cooperation in four key sectors, namely energy, transportation, digital infrastructure, and critical minerals. Both sides also discussed ways to further enhance efficiency and accelerate cooperation processes. The USTDA is an agency of the U.S. Government with the mandate to promote economic and trade cooperation and has maintained close cooperation with Thailand since 1981, establishing its regional office in Thailand in 2019 to oversee engagement with ASEAN countries.