Trump Pressures the Thai government to Recommit to Cambodia Truce with ‘Threat of Tariffs’
Washington has exerted influence on Thailand to recommit to a truce deal with Cambodia, indicating that trade negotiations could be suspended as efforts are made to prevent a Donald Trump-brokered ceasefire arrangement from falling apart.
Border Tensions Escalate
In recent days, Thailand declared it was putting on hold the ceasefire deal, accusing Cambodian forces of planting new explosives along the shared border, including one that reportedly wounded a Thai military personnel on patrol, who lost a foot in the blast.
Since then, a fatality occurred and several others wounded by gunfire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, sparking fears of a fresh wave of retaliatory clashes.
US Trade Pressure
Over the weekend, a representative from Thailand's foreign office informed reporters that a letter from the U.S. trade office declaring the suspension of trade deal talks was obtained on the previous evening.
The spokesperson referenced the letter as saying that trade negotiations – which are focusing on a US tariff of 19% – could restart once the Thai government renewed its pledge to implementing the mutual truce agreement.
“Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” said another government spokesperson.
Trump’s Tariff Threat
Addressing reporters on Air Force One as he flew to Florida on the end of the week, 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 are performing well. I believe they will be okay.”
Truce Deal Origins
The President witnessed the finalization of a peace deal, 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 prestigious peace award.
The worst fighting in a decade between military forces of both nations erupted in July, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes leaving dozens of people killed and hundreds of thousands forced to flee.
Historic Frontier Conflict
Thailand and Cambodia have a longstanding border dispute that dates back to disagreements over maps from the colonial period created by French cartographers. Ancient temples along the border are disputed by each nation.
International news agency contributed to this report.
