The US President Pressures the Thai government to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodia Truce with ‘Threat of Tariffs’
Washington has exerted influence on Thailand to recommit to a ceasefire agreement with the Cambodian side, indicating that trade talks could be suspended as efforts are made to stop a Trump-mediated ceasefire arrangement from falling apart.
Border Tensions Escalate
In recent days, Thai officials announced it was suspending the truce agreement, alleging Cambodian forces of laying fresh landmines along the mutual frontier, including one that reportedly wounded a Thai military personnel on patrol, who suffered a foot amputation in the blast.
Following this, one person has been killed and multiple individuals injured by exchanges of fire along the border between the two nations, raising concerns of a new round of retaliatory clashes.
US Trade Pressure
Over the weekend, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson informed reporters that a official communication from the Office of the US Trade Representative announcing the pause in trade negotiations was received on Friday night.
He quoted the document as stating that trade negotiations – which are focusing on a US tariff of 19% – could restart once Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the joint ceasefire declaration.
“Trade talks are ongoing and distinct from frontier matters,” said a different official representative.
President’s Economic Warning
Addressing reporters aboard the presidential plane as he flew to Florida on Friday, Trump 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’re doing great. I think they’re gonna be fine.”
Ceasefire Agreement Background
The President witnessed the finalization of a ceasefire agreement, conducted in Malaysian territory this October, and has touted it as one of multiple agreements around the globe he says should earn him the Nobel Peace prize.
The worst fighting in a ten years between military forces of both nations broke out in mid-summer, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes causing numerous fatalities and 300,000 displaced.
Longstanding Border Dispute
The two neighboring countries have a longstanding border dispute that originates from conflicts regarding 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.
