Trump Urges Thailand to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodia Ceasefire with Tariff Warnings
Washington has exerted influence on Thailand to reaffirm its dedication to a truce deal with the Cambodian side, indicating that trade negotiations could be suspended as efforts are made to prevent a Donald Trump-brokered peace agreement from collapsing.
Border Tensions Escalate
In recent days, Thai officials declared it was suspending the truce agreement, accusing Cambodian forces of planting new explosives along the shared border, including one that allegedly wounded a Thai soldier on duty, who suffered a foot amputation in the blast.
Since then, one person has been killed and several others wounded by exchanges of fire along the border between the two nations, sparking fears of a fresh wave of tit-for-tat fighting.
US Trade Pressure
On Saturday, a representative from Thailand's foreign office informed reporters that a official communication from the Office of the US Trade Representative declaring the pause in trade negotiations was received on the previous evening.
He quoted the letter as stating that discussions on trade – which are addressing a US tariff of 19% – could resume once the Thai government renewed its pledge to implementing the joint ceasefire declaration.
“Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” said a different official representative.
Trump’s Tariff Threat
Addressing reporters aboard the presidential plane as he flew to Florida on Friday, the US leader suggested that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in discussions with the ASEAN nation heads.
He stated, “Today, I prevented a conflict using tariffs, the menace of duties,” continuing, “they’re doing great. I think they’re gonna be fine.”
Truce Deal Origins
The President witnessed the finalization of a ceasefire agreement, conducted in Malaysian territory this October, and has touted it as one of multiple agreements around the globe he says should win him the Nobel Peace prize.
The worst fighting in a ten years between Thai and Cambodian troops erupted in July, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes leaving dozens of people killed and 300,000 displaced.
Historic Frontier Conflict
The two neighboring countries have a longstanding border dispute that dates back to conflicts regarding colonial-era maps created by French cartographers. Ancient temples along the border are disputed by each nation.
Reuters contributed to this report.
