US tariffs deepen Thailand’s steel struggles amid rising imports and costs, say analysts

[SINGAPORE] Struggling with low capacity utilisation and escalating production costs, Thailand’s steel industry is bracing for further disruption as US tariffs reshape global trade flows, said market observers.

The potential influx of cheaper imports adds another layer of complexity to an already strained domestic market.

Kasem Prunratanamala, head of research at CGS International Securities Thailand, said there is a need for the government to set anti-dumping policies to protect the local steel industry, as the domestic players are less competitive compared with those in countries with economies of scale, such as China.