The US President Urges the Thai government to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodia Ceasefire with Tariff Warnings
Washington has exerted influence on the Thai administration to recommit to a truce deal with Cambodia, stating that trade talks could be suspended as efforts are made to prevent a Trump-mediated peace agreement from collapsing.
Rising Border Hostilities
Earlier this week, Thailand declared it was suspending the truce agreement, alleging Cambodia of planting new explosives along the mutual frontier, including one that reportedly injured a Thai soldier on duty, who lost a foot in the explosion.
Since then, a fatality occurred and multiple individuals injured 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
Over the weekend, a representative from Thailand's foreign office told journalists that a letter from the Office of the US Trade Representative announcing the suspension of trade deal talks was received on Friday night.
He quoted the document as stating that discussions on trade – which are addressing a 19 percent American duty – could resume once Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the mutual truce agreement.
“Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” stated another government spokesperson.
Trump’s Tariff Threat
Addressing reporters on Air Force One as he flew to Florida on Friday, the US leader implied that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in calls with the south-east Asian leaders.
He stated, “I stopped a war just today through the use of tariffs, the threat of tariffs,” continuing, “they are performing well. I believe they will be okay.”
Truce Deal Origins
Trump oversaw the signing of a peace deal, conducted in Malaysian territory this October, and has touted it as one of multiple agreements around the world he says should win him the Nobel Peace prize.
The worst fighting in a ten years between Thai and Cambodian troops erupted in mid-summer, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes leaving dozens of people killed and hundreds of thousands forced to flee.
Longstanding Border Dispute
The two neighboring countries have a historic territorial disagreement that dates back to conflicts regarding colonial-era maps created by French cartographers. Ancient temples along the border are claimed by both sides.
International news agency contributed to this report.
