Trump Pressures Thailand to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodian 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 Donald Trump-brokered ceasefire arrangement from falling apart.
Border Tensions Escalate
In recent days, Thai officials declared it was putting on hold the ceasefire deal, accusing Cambodia of laying fresh landmines along the mutual frontier, including one that allegedly injured a Thai military personnel on patrol, who suffered a foot amputation in the blast.
Since then, a fatality occurred and multiple individuals injured by gunfire along the border between the two nations, sparking fears of a new round of retaliatory clashes.
US Trade Pressure
Over the weekend, a representative from Thailand's foreign office informed reporters that a official communication from the Office of the US Trade Representative declaring the pause in trade negotiations was obtained on the previous evening.
The spokesperson referenced the letter as saying that discussions on trade – which are addressing a US tariff of 19% – could restart once Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to carrying out the mutual truce agreement.
“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 flew to Florida on Friday, the US leader suggested that he had employed tariff warnings in calls with the south-east Asian leaders.
The US president said, “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.”
Truce Deal Origins
The President witnessed the finalization of a peace deal, conducted in Malaysian territory this last autumn, and has touted it as one of multiple agreements around the globe he claims should win him the Nobel Peace prize.
The worst fighting in a ten years between military forces of both nations broke out in mid-summer, with exchanges of fire, shelling and aerial attacks causing numerous fatalities and hundreds of thousands forced to flee.
Longstanding Border Dispute
Thailand and Cambodia have a longstanding border dispute that originates from conflicts regarding maps from the colonial period created by French cartographers. Ancient temples along the frontier are claimed by both sides.
Reuters provided input for this coverage.
