Trump Pressures the Thai government to Recommit to Cambodian Ceasefire with ‘Threat of Tariffs’
The United States has applied pressure on the Thai administration to recommit to a truce deal with the Cambodian side, indicating that trade negotiations could be suspended as attempts are made to prevent a Donald Trump-brokered ceasefire arrangement from collapsing.
Border Tensions Escalate
In recent days, Thailand declared it was putting on hold the truce agreement, accusing Cambodian forces of laying fresh landmines along the mutual frontier, among them an incident 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 several others wounded by exchanges of fire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, raising concerns of a fresh wave 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 declaring the pause in trade negotiations was received on the previous evening.
He quoted the letter as stating that trade negotiations – which are focusing on a US tariff of 19% – could restart once the Thai government reaffirmed its commitment to carrying out the joint ceasefire declaration.
“Trade talks are ongoing and distinct from frontier matters,” stated a different official representative.
President’s Economic Warning
Speaking to the press aboard the presidential plane as he flew to Florida on Friday, Trump implied that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in calls 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.”
Ceasefire Agreement Background
Trump oversaw the signing of a ceasefire agreement, conducted in Malaysian territory this last autumn, and has promoted it as one of several deals around the world he says should win him the Nobel Peace prize.
The most severe clashes in a ten years between Thai and Cambodian troops broke out in mid-summer, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes leaving dozens of people killed and 300,000 displaced.
Longstanding Border Dispute
Thailand and Cambodia have a historic territorial disagreement that dates back to conflicts regarding colonial-era maps created by French cartographers. Historic shrines along the frontier are claimed by both sides.
International news agency contributed to this report.
