The US President Urges Thailand to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodian Ceasefire with ‘Threat of Tariffs’
Washington has exerted influence on Thailand to recommit to a ceasefire agreement with the Cambodian side, stating that trade talks could be halted as efforts are made to prevent a Donald Trump-brokered peace agreement from collapsing.
Border Tensions Escalate
Earlier this week, Thailand announced it was putting on hold the truce agreement, accusing Cambodia of planting new explosives along the mutual frontier, among them an incident that allegedly injured a Thai soldier on duty, who suffered a foot amputation in the explosion.
Following this, one person has been killed and multiple individuals injured by gunfire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, raising concerns of a fresh wave of tit-for-tat fighting.
US Trade Pressure
Over the weekend, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson told journalists that a official communication from the Office of the US Trade Representative declaring the suspension of trade deal talks was obtained on Friday night.
He quoted the document as stating that trade negotiations – which are addressing a US tariff of 19% – could resume once the Thai government renewed its pledge to carrying out the joint ceasefire declaration.
“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 implied that he had employed tariff warnings in calls with the ASEAN nation heads.
The US president said, “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
Trump oversaw the signing of a ceasefire agreement, conducted in Malaysian territory this last autumn, and has touted it as one of multiple agreements around the world he says should win him the prestigious peace award.
The worst fighting in a ten years between Thai and Cambodian troops erupted in mid-summer, 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 conflicts regarding colonial-era maps created by French cartographers. Historic shrines along the frontier are disputed by each nation.
International news agency provided input for this coverage.