Trump Pressures Thailand to Recommit to Cambodia Truce with ‘Threat of Tariffs’
The United States has applied pressure on the Thai administration to reaffirm its dedication to a truce deal with the Cambodian side, warning that trade talks could be paused as attempts are made to prevent a Donald Trump-brokered peace agreement from falling apart.
Rising Border Hostilities
Earlier this week, Thai officials declared it was suspending the ceasefire deal, alleging Cambodian forces of planting new explosives along the shared border, among them an incident that allegedly injured a Thai military personnel on duty, who suffered a foot amputation in the blast.
Following this, one person has been killed and several others wounded by gunfire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, 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 letter from the Office of the US Trade Representative declaring the suspension of trade deal talks was received on Friday night.
He quoted the document as saying that discussions on trade – which are addressing a US tariff of 19% – could resume 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.
President’s Economic Warning
Speaking to the press aboard the presidential plane as he flew to Florida on the end of the week, the US leader suggested that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in calls with the ASEAN nation heads.
He stated, “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
The President witnessed the finalization of a ceasefire agreement, held in Malaysia this last autumn, and has touted it as one of multiple agreements around the globe he says should earn him the prestigious peace award.
The most severe clashes in a decade between Thai and Cambodian troops erupted in mid-summer, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes causing numerous fatalities and 300,000 displaced.
Longstanding Border Dispute
Thailand and Cambodia have a historic territorial disagreement that dates back to conflicts regarding maps from the colonial period drawn up by the French. Ancient temples along the border are disputed by each nation.
International news agency contributed to this report.
