Trump Pressures Thailand to Recommit to Cambodian Ceasefire with ‘Threat of Tariffs’
Washington has exerted influence on Thailand to reaffirm its dedication to a truce deal with Cambodia, warning that trade negotiations could be suspended as attempts are made to stop a Donald Trump-brokered peace agreement from falling apart.
Border Tensions Escalate
In recent days, Thai officials declared it was putting on hold the truce agreement, accusing Cambodia of laying fresh landmines along the shared border, among them an incident that reportedly injured a Thai military personnel on duty, who lost a foot in the explosion.
Following this, one person has been killed and multiple individuals injured by gunfire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, sparking fears of a new round of retaliatory clashes.
American Economic Leverage
On Saturday, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson told journalists 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 saying that discussions on trade – which are addressing a 19 percent American duty – could restart once Thailand renewed its pledge to carrying out the joint ceasefire declaration.
“Trade talks are ongoing and distinct from frontier matters,” said a different official representative.
Trump’s Tariff Threat
Addressing reporters on Air Force One as he traveled to the Sunshine State on Friday, Trump suggested that he had employed tariff warnings in discussions with the ASEAN nation heads.
He stated, “Today, I prevented a conflict using tariffs, the menace of duties,” continuing, “they are performing well. I believe they will be okay.”
Truce Deal Origins
Trump oversaw the signing of a peace deal, held in Malaysia this October, and has touted it as one of multiple agreements around the world he claims should win him the prestigious peace award.
The worst fighting in a ten years between military forces of both nations erupted in July, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes causing numerous fatalities and hundreds of thousands forced to flee.
Historic Frontier Conflict
The two neighboring countries have a longstanding border dispute that dates back to disagreements over colonial-era maps created by French cartographers. Ancient temples along the frontier are claimed by both sides.
International news agency contributed to this report.