Trump Pressures the Thai government to Recommit to Cambodia Ceasefire with ‘Threat of Tariffs’
The United States has applied pressure on Thailand to reaffirm its dedication to a truce deal with the Cambodian side, warning that trade negotiations could be paused as efforts are made to prevent a Trump-mediated peace agreement from collapsing.
Border Tensions Escalate
Earlier this week, Thailand announced it was putting on hold the truce agreement, alleging Cambodia of planting new explosives along the shared border, including one that allegedly wounded a Thai military personnel on patrol, who suffered a foot amputation in the blast.
Since then, one person has been killed and several others wounded by exchanges of fire 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 informed reporters that a official communication from the U.S. trade office declaring the pause in trade negotiations was received on the previous evening.
The spokesperson referenced the letter as saying that trade negotiations – which are addressing a 19 percent American duty – could resume once the Thai government renewed its pledge to carrying out the joint ceasefire declaration.
“Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” said a different official representative.
Trump’s Tariff Threat
Addressing reporters on Air Force One as he traveled to the Sunshine State on the end of the week, Trump suggested that he had employed tariff warnings in discussions with the ASEAN nation heads.
He stated, “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
Trump oversaw the signing of a ceasefire agreement, conducted in Malaysian territory this last autumn, and has promoted it as one of multiple agreements around the globe he claims should earn him the Nobel Peace prize.
The most severe clashes in a decade between Thai and Cambodian troops erupted in mid-summer, with exchanges of fire, shelling and aerial attacks causing numerous fatalities and 300,000 displaced.
Longstanding Border Dispute
Thailand and Cambodia have a longstanding border dispute that originates from conflicts regarding colonial-era maps drawn up by the French. Historic shrines along the border are disputed by each nation.
International news agency provided input for this coverage.