The US President Urges Thailand to Recommit to Cambodia Ceasefire with ‘Threat of Tariffs’
The United States has applied pressure on Thailand to reaffirm its dedication to a ceasefire agreement with the Cambodian side, warning that trade negotiations could be halted as attempts are made to prevent a Trump-mediated ceasefire arrangement from collapsing.
Rising Border Hostilities
In recent days, Thai officials announced it was putting on hold the ceasefire deal, alleging Cambodia of laying fresh landmines along the mutual frontier, including one that allegedly injured a Thai military personnel on patrol, who lost a foot in the blast.
Since then, a fatality occurred and multiple individuals injured by gunfire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, sparking fears of a new round of tit-for-tat fighting.
American Economic Leverage
On Saturday, a representative from Thailand's foreign office informed reporters that a letter from the U.S. trade office announcing the suspension of trade deal talks was received on Friday night.
He quoted the document as stating that trade negotiations – which are addressing a US tariff of 19% – could restart once Thailand renewed its pledge to carrying out the mutual truce agreement.
“Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” said another government spokesperson.
Trump’s Tariff Threat
Addressing reporters on Air Force One as he flew to Florida on the end of the week, Trump implied that he had employed tariff warnings in calls with the south-east Asian leaders.
He stated, “Today, I prevented a conflict using tariffs, the menace of duties,” adding, “they are performing well. I believe they will be okay.”
Truce Deal Origins
The President witnessed the finalization of a peace deal, conducted in Malaysian territory this last autumn, and has promoted it as one of several deals around the world he says should earn him the prestigious peace award.
The most severe clashes in a decade between Thai and Cambodian troops erupted in July, with exchanges of fire, shelling and aerial attacks leaving dozens of people killed and 300,000 displaced.
Historic Frontier Conflict
Thailand and Cambodia have a historic territorial disagreement that originates from conflicts regarding colonial-era maps created by French cartographers. Historic shrines along the frontier are disputed by each nation.
Reuters contributed to this report.
