The US President Pressures Thailand to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodian Ceasefire with Tariff Warnings
Washington has exerted influence on Thailand to recommit to a ceasefire agreement with Cambodia, warning that trade talks could be halted as efforts are made to stop a Donald Trump-brokered peace agreement from falling apart.
Rising Border Hostilities
In recent days, Thai officials declared it was suspending the truce agreement, alleging Cambodian forces of planting new explosives along the shared border, including one that allegedly wounded a Thai military personnel on duty, who lost a foot in the explosion.
Following this, a fatality occurred and several others wounded by gunfire along the border between the two nations, sparking fears of a new round of retaliatory clashes.
US Trade Pressure
On Saturday, a representative from Thailand's foreign office told journalists that a letter from the Office of the US Trade Representative announcing the pause in trade negotiations was obtained on the previous evening.
The spokesperson referenced the letter as stating that trade negotiations – which are addressing a 19 percent American duty – could restart once the Thai government renewed its pledge to implementing the joint ceasefire declaration.
“Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” said another government spokesperson.
Trump’s Tariff Threat
Speaking to the press aboard the presidential plane as he traveled to the Sunshine State on Friday, the US leader implied that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in discussions with the ASEAN nation heads.
The US president said, “Today, I prevented a conflict using tariffs, the menace of duties,” adding, “they’re doing great. I think they’re gonna be fine.”
Truce Deal Origins
Trump oversaw the signing of a peace deal, held in Malaysia this October, and has promoted it as one of multiple agreements around the globe he claims should earn him the prestigious peace award.
The worst fighting in a decade between Thai and Cambodian troops broke out in mid-summer, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes causing numerous fatalities and 300,000 displaced.
Historic Frontier Conflict
The two neighboring countries have a longstanding border dispute that dates back to disagreements over maps from the colonial period created by French cartographers. Historic shrines along the frontier are claimed by both sides.
International news agency provided input for this coverage.
