The US President Urges the Thai government to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodia Ceasefire with ‘Threat of Tariffs’
Washington has exerted influence on the Thai administration to recommit to a ceasefire agreement with the Cambodian side, warning that trade negotiations could be suspended as efforts are made to stop a Trump-mediated ceasefire arrangement from falling apart.
Border Tensions Escalate
In recent days, Thailand announced it was putting on hold the ceasefire deal, alleging Cambodian forces of laying fresh landmines along the shared border, among them an incident that allegedly injured a Thai soldier on duty, who suffered a foot amputation in the explosion.
Since then, one person has been killed and several others wounded by gunfire along the border between the two nations, sparking fears of a new round of tit-for-tat fighting.
American Economic Leverage
On Saturday, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson informed reporters that a letter from the Office of the US Trade Representative declaring the suspension of trade deal talks was received on the previous evening.
The spokesperson referenced the letter as saying that discussions on trade – which are addressing a US tariff of 19% – could resume once Thailand 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
Addressing reporters on Air Force One as he traveled to the Sunshine State on the end of the week, Trump implied that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in calls with the ASEAN nation heads.
He stated, “I stopped a war just today through the use of tariffs, the threat of tariffs,” continuing, “they are performing well. I believe they will be okay.”
Ceasefire Agreement Background
Trump oversaw the signing of a peace deal, conducted in Malaysian territory this October, and has touted it as one of multiple agreements around the globe he says should earn him the prestigious peace award.
The worst fighting in a ten years between military forces of both nations erupted in mid-summer, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes leaving dozens of people killed and 300,000 displaced.
Historic Frontier Conflict
The two neighboring countries have a longstanding border dispute that dates back to disagreements over colonial-era maps drawn up by the French. Historic shrines along the border are claimed by both sides.
International news agency contributed to this report.
