Trump Urges Thailand to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodia Ceasefire with ‘Threat of Tariffs’
The United States has applied pressure on Thailand to reaffirm its dedication to a truce deal with Cambodia, warning that trade talks could be paused as efforts are made to stop a Donald Trump-brokered ceasefire arrangement from falling apart.
Border Tensions Escalate
In recent days, Thai officials declared it was suspending the truce agreement, alleging Cambodian forces of laying fresh landmines along the shared border, including one that reportedly wounded a Thai soldier on patrol, who lost a foot in the blast.
Following this, one person has been killed and several others wounded by gunfire along the border between the two nations, raising concerns of a fresh wave of tit-for-tat fighting.
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 pause in trade negotiations was obtained on the previous evening.
The spokesperson referenced the document as saying that trade negotiations – which are addressing a 19 percent American duty – could resume once Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the mutual truce agreement.
“Trade talks are ongoing and distinct from frontier matters,” said another government spokesperson.
President’s Economic Warning
Speaking to the press aboard the presidential plane as he flew to Florida on Friday, the US leader suggested that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in discussions with the south-east Asian leaders.
The US president said, “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
The President witnessed the finalization of a ceasefire agreement, held in Malaysia this October, and has promoted it as one of several deals around the globe he claims should earn him the Nobel Peace prize.
The most severe clashes in a decade between military forces of both nations erupted in July, with exchanges of fire, shelling and aerial attacks causing numerous fatalities and hundreds of thousands forced to flee.
Historic Frontier Conflict
The two neighboring countries have a longstanding border dispute that originates from disagreements over colonial-era maps drawn up by the French. Ancient temples along the frontier are claimed by both sides.
International news agency provided input for this coverage.
