Trump Pressures the Thai government to Recommit to Cambodian Truce with Tariff Warnings
Washington has exerted influence on the Thai administration to recommit to a ceasefire agreement with the Cambodian side, warning that trade negotiations could be paused as attempts are made to prevent a Donald Trump-brokered peace agreement from collapsing.
Rising Border Hostilities
In recent days, Thai officials declared it was putting on hold the ceasefire deal, alleging Cambodia of laying fresh landmines along the mutual frontier, including one that reportedly wounded a Thai military personnel on patrol, who suffered a foot amputation in the explosion.
Since then, one person has been killed and multiple individuals injured by gunfire along the border between the two nations, raising concerns of a new round of retaliatory clashes.
American Economic Leverage
On Saturday, a representative from Thailand's foreign office told journalists that a official communication from the Office of the US Trade Representative declaring the suspension of trade deal talks was obtained on Friday night.
He quoted the document as saying that discussions on trade – which are focusing on a 19 percent American duty – could restart once Thailand renewed its pledge to implementing the joint ceasefire declaration.
“Trade talks are ongoing and distinct from frontier matters,” said a different official representative.
Trump’s Tariff Threat
Addressing reporters aboard the presidential plane as he flew to Florida on Friday, Trump implied that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in discussions with the south-east Asian leaders.
He stated, “I stopped a war just today through the use of tariffs, the threat of tariffs,” adding, “they’re doing great. I think they’re gonna be fine.”
Truce Deal Origins
Trump oversaw the signing of a ceasefire agreement, conducted in Malaysian territory this last autumn, and has promoted it as one of multiple agreements around the globe he says should earn 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.
Longstanding Border Dispute
The two neighboring countries have a historic territorial disagreement that dates back to disagreements over colonial-era maps drawn up by the French. Ancient temples along the frontier are disputed by each nation.
International news agency contributed to this report.
