Trump Urges the Thai government to Recommit to Cambodian Ceasefire with ‘Threat of Tariffs’
The United States has applied pressure on the Thai administration to reaffirm its dedication to a truce deal with Cambodia, warning that trade negotiations could be halted as attempts are made to prevent a Trump-mediated ceasefire arrangement from falling apart.
Rising Border Hostilities
In recent days, Thailand declared it was suspending the truce agreement, alleging Cambodia of planting new explosives along the shared border, among them an incident that allegedly wounded a Thai military personnel on patrol, who lost a foot in the blast.
Since then, a fatality occurred and several others wounded by exchanges of fire along the border between the two nations, sparking fears of a new round of tit-for-tat fighting.
US Trade Pressure
On Saturday, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson informed reporters that a letter from the Office of the US Trade Representative announcing the suspension of trade deal talks was received on Friday night.
The spokesperson referenced the letter as stating that discussions on trade – which are addressing a US tariff of 19% – could resume once the Thai government reaffirmed its commitment 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 the end of the week, the US leader implied that he had employed tariff warnings in calls with the ASEAN nation heads.
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.”
Ceasefire Agreement Background
Trump oversaw the signing of a ceasefire agreement, held in Malaysia this October, and has touted it as one of several deals around the world he says should win him the prestigious peace award.
The most severe clashes in a ten years between Thai and Cambodian troops broke out in July, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes causing numerous fatalities and 300,000 displaced.
Historic Frontier Conflict
Thailand and Cambodia have a longstanding border dispute that originates from conflicts regarding colonial-era maps drawn up by the French. Historic shrines along the frontier are disputed by each nation.
International news agency provided input for this coverage.
