The US President Urges the Thai government to Recommit to Cambodian Ceasefire with ‘Threat of Tariffs’
Washington has exerted influence on Thailand to recommit to a ceasefire agreement with Cambodia, indicating that trade talks could be suspended as attempts are made to stop a Trump-mediated peace agreement from collapsing.
Rising Border Hostilities
Earlier this week, Thai officials declared it was suspending the ceasefire deal, alleging Cambodian forces of laying fresh landmines along the mutual frontier, including one that allegedly injured a Thai military personnel on duty, who suffered a foot amputation in the blast.
Following this, a fatality occurred and several others wounded by gunfire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, raising concerns of a new round of retaliatory clashes.
US Trade Pressure
Over the weekend, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson informed reporters that a official communication from the U.S. trade office announcing the pause in trade negotiations was received on Friday night.
He quoted the letter as saying that trade negotiations – which are addressing a US tariff of 19% – could resume once the Thai government renewed its pledge to carrying out the mutual truce agreement.
“Trade talks are ongoing and distinct from frontier matters,” stated another government spokesperson.
President’s Economic Warning
Speaking to the press aboard the presidential plane as he traveled to the Sunshine State on Friday, the US leader suggested that he had employed tariff warnings in discussions with the south-east Asian leaders.
The US president said, “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 peace deal, conducted in Malaysian territory this October, and has touted it as one of several deals around the globe he says should earn him the Nobel Peace prize.
The most severe clashes in a decade between military forces of both nations broke out in July, with exchanges of fire, shelling and aerial attacks causing numerous fatalities and hundreds of thousands forced to flee.
Longstanding Border Dispute
The two neighboring countries have a longstanding border dispute that dates back to conflicts regarding maps from the colonial period created by French cartographers. Historic shrines along the frontier are claimed by both sides.
Reuters contributed to this report.
