Thailand's billion-dollar rice industry would be exposed to major risks if its trade negotiations with the U.S. fail, as the Trump government is threatening a 36 percent tariff on the country.
While the U.S. is not Thailand's largest rice consumer, it remains a critical market for high-value varieties, especially the premium jasmine rice. The Thai government claimed to be advancing a new proposal to achieve a trade balance with the U.S. and avoid Trump's additional tariff, but the huge uncertainty has burdened local farmers.
Rice growers in the country are facing a harsh reality, with dwindling margins and the looming threat of unsustainable debt with just one failed harvest.
"Most farmers borrow money. When we harvest the rice, but the price is not good, we still have costs, for the family and for production. Our income is irregular, so it makes life difficult. Farmers cannot escape this problem. They face this same hardship," said Thawee Sunimit, a local rice farmer.
Half of Thailand's cultivated land is devoted to rice farming, and one in five households grows rice. The pillar industry has already eroded with rising costs, extreme weather, and shrinking exports, and the tariff threat further undermines the exports and narrows the profit. As countries have been delaying their buying decisions due to the tariff, the overall rice exports of Thailand fell by 30 percent in the first quarter.
"Farmers are the driving force of the country's economy. We are concerned because we export a lot of rice to the U.S., more than 800,000 tonnes per year. If this tax is set, 36 percent will immediately increase the price of our products. We are not sure if consumers will have purchasing power, or if they will switch to cheaper products," said Kriengsak Tapananon, the Honorary Adviser of the Thai Rice Farmer Association.
Despite the export decrease, Thailand remains the world's second-largest rice exporter, supplying more than 9 million tonnes annually to global markets. As Trump's tariff is shaking Thailand's rice industry, the global rice supply is also under threat.
US tariff uncertainty threatens rice industry in Thailand
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
