MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

BETWEEN 

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF THAILAND

AND

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA  

ON

PROMOTING SUPPLY CHAIN RESILIENCE

The Government of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Government of the United States of America (hereinafter jointly referred to as the “Participants” and separately as a “Participant”),

RECOGNIZING the 1833 Treaty of Amity and Commerce and its successors, including the 1966 Treaty of Amity and Economic Relations, have deepened friendship, built mutual prosperity, and provided a platform for the trade and investment relationship between the two nations to flourish;

DESIRING to further strengthen the friendship and economic partnership between our countries; and

AFFIRMING the shared interest in resilient, diverse, and secure supply chains, as well as the mutual benefit inherent in consultation, collaboration, and coordination to reduce supply chain vulnerabilities, minimize disruptions, and ensure critical goods remain accessible to respective populations,

Have reached the following understandings:

1. Objective:

The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is to enhance information sharing, consultation, and program development to advance shared interests in supply chains that are transparent, secure, sustainable, and diverse, open and predictable, and that promote the health, security, and broadly shared prosperity of the Participants. 

2. Scope of Cooperation:

The Participants confirm their willingness to cooperate, including through the following broad areas of activities:

• information sharing, including on markets, disruptions, shortages, or restrictions related to critical supply chains, as well as opportunities to expand cooperation on policies, standards, development of laws, and other measures that may enhance supply chain resilience;
  
  
• joint development of programs to promote resilient supply chains, encourage broad and diverse actions by the private sector to strengthen critical supply chains, and to reduce vulnerabilities to supply chain integrity, including those related to risks posed by pandemic and public health conditions, climate change and extreme weather, physical and cyber-security, and geographic over-concentration of inputs, processing capacity, and production;
  
  
• rapid bilateral consultation, particularly regarding any emerging disruptions to production, trade, or transportation, as well as possible mitigation strategies; and
  
  
• private sector consultation, including by linking the Participants’ private sectors to relevant investment and regulatory authorities as well as potential commercial partners, in order to explore new, mutually beneficial trade and investment opportunities, broaden economic linkages, and ensure the Participants’ private sectors are partners in mitigating supply chain disruptions.
  
  

3. Means of Cooperation:

The means of cooperation among the Participants may include the following:

• direct conversations between officials on emerging issues of concern or identified vulnerabilities in global supply chains and joint development of means to address those concerns;
  
  
• development of means to facilitate compatibility of products and services, including but not limited to key sectors such as electronics and their components, medicines, pharmaceuticals, health products, medical devices, safety equipment, telecommunications equipment, energy products, and electric vehicles;
  
  
• development of cooperative programs, exchanges of expertise and best practices, workshops, feasibility studies, and capacity building aimed at promoting resilience in supply chains and reducing vulnerabilities, including by strengthening cybersecurity, border security, transportation networks, health cooperation, joint research, and cooperation to reduce risks posed by climate change;
  
  
• development of workforce capabilities to enhance strength, diversity, and resilience in supply chains; and
  
  
• periodic consultations to discuss and review progress under this MOU, strategic plans, achievements, as well as challenges, opportunities, and critical issues, in accordance with the objectives described in this MOU. The Participants expect to hold such consultations bi-annually or as needed.
  
  

4. Operation and Duration

• This MOU becomes operative on the date of signing by the Participants and is intended to remain in effect for five years from that date.
  
  
• This MOU may be extended by the written decision of the Participants.
  
  

5. Modifications and Discontinuation:

• This MOU may be modified by the written decision of the Participants.

(ii)    A Participant may discontinue this MOU at any time and is expected to provide written notice of such discontinuation to the other Participant at least thirty (30) days prior to discontinuation.

6. Miscellaneous:

• Each Participant understands that this MOU is not legally binding, does not create any legal rights or obligations and does not restrict cooperation with any other entity.
  
  
• This MOU is not intended as a commitment with regard to provision of funding or other support on the part of the Participants. Any such commitment would be reflected in separate arrangements that may be entered into by the Participants. Furthermore, this MOU does not represent any commitment on the part of a Participant to give preferred treatment to the other Participant in any matter contemplated under this MOU or otherwise. All activities conducted by the Participants under this MOU are subject to their respective applicable law and regulations.
  
  
• Each Participant bears its own costs incurred in connection with this MOU, including costs incurred in the implementation of this MOU.
  
  

SIGNED in duplicate at Bangkok on 10^th day of July 2022 in the English language.

For the                                                   For the

Government of the                                  Government of the

Kingdom of Thailand:                              United States of America:

Don Pramudwinai                                     Antony J. Blinken

Deputy Prime Minister                              Secretary of State

and Minister of Foreign Affairs

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https://www.mfa.go.th/th/content/mou-promoting-supply-chain-resilience-2