Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul assured a top US defense official that defense cooperation will not be leveraged in trade negotiations. The statement came during talks with US Under Secretary Elbridge Colby as both nations aim to bolster their longstanding 193-year alliance. Anutin, who also holds the position of Interior Minister, emphasized Thailand’s commitment to maintaining a clear separation between defense and economic matters. This clarifies Thailand’s position amidst ongoing efforts to strengthen ties with the United States. The move signals a desire for continued collaboration on security without creating dependencies in trade discussions. This commitment reinforces stability in the Thailand-US partnership. The statement was first reported by Khaosod English.