U.S. looks for Thai trade deal by 2006

U.S. looks for Thai trade deal by 2006

WASHINGTON: The United States said it hopes to wrap up a free- trade pact with Thailand early next year after the two nations on Friday finished their latest round of talks.

No breakthrough was signaled by the U.S. Trade Representative office at the conclusion of the fourth round of negotiations in the U.S. state of Montana.

But it said: "The United States government is pleased with the progress that was made and hopes to conclude the FTA in early 2006.

"The progress made during this round will position the United States and Thailand well for further progress in the next round to be held in late September," the USTR added in a statement.

Total bilateral trade was US$24 billion last year, up nearly 11 percent from 2003, according to the USTR. -- AFP