(File photo: Somchai Poomlard)WASHINGTON - The US Treasury Department kept Japan on its currency watchlist and added Thailand on Thursday, saying both countries will be monitored for potentially unfair foreign-exchange practices as part of its biannual report to Congress. In its latest semi-annual currency report, the Treasury said no major trading partner met all three criteria for enhanced analysis of currency practices during the last half of 2024 and the first six months of 2025. The department did not designate any trading partner as a currency manipulator, which could result in the imposition of US sanctions. Traditionally, the Treasury's three main criteria for analysing foreign exchange and determining manipulation are a trade surplus ⁠with the US of at least $15 billion, a global current account surplus above 3% of gross domestic product (GDP) and persistent, one-way net foreign ​exchange purchases that reach 2% of GDP. The Treasury did not label China a currency manipulator, avoiding a potential escalation in trade tensions with Beijing, despite what it called "depreciation pressure" facing its yuan currency.

Source: Bangkok Post January 30, 2026 04:42 UTC