BANGKOK, Jan 23 Reuters Thailand39;s exports rose for a sixth straight month and more than expected in December, with the commerce ministry saying on Thursday that shipments would increase further in January but that uncertainty over U.S. trade policies posed a challenge.

Exports, a key driver of Southeast Asia39;s secondlargest economy, grew 8.7 in December from a year earlier, beating a forecast for an 8.15 rise in a Reuters poll and up from November39;s 8.2 increase.

The ministry is maintaining an export growth target of 23 for 2025, after last year39;s 5.4 rise to a record 301 billion.

According to preliminary data, the ministry expects exports to rise again in January, while it is monitoring the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump39;s trade policies, Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, head of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office, told a news conference.

We have to wait and see … his policies are being gradually released, with both positive and negative impacts on Thailand and neighbouring Southeast Asian countries, he said.

The commerce minister is planning to travel to the United States next month to discuss trade and tariffs with U.S. officials, he said.

The ministry said there were challenges to growing Thai exports from uncertain U.S. trade policies, prolonged geopolitical tensions and fluctuations in exchange rates.

In December, exports to the United States, Thailand39;s biggest market, rose 17.5 yearonyear. For all of 2024, exports to the U.S. were up 13.7…