Trump Compels the Thai government to Recommit to Cambodian Truce with Tariff Warnings
The United States has applied pressure on the Thai administration to recommit to a ceasefire agreement with the Cambodian side, warning that trade negotiations could be paused as attempts are made to stop a Donald Trump-brokered ceasefire arrangement from falling apart.
Border Tensions Escalate
In recent days, Thailand declared it was putting on hold the truce agreement, alleging Cambodian forces of laying fresh landmines along the mutual frontier, among them an incident that reportedly wounded a Thai military personnel on duty, who suffered a foot amputation in the blast.
Since then, a fatality occurred and several others wounded by gunfire along the border between the two nations, sparking fears of a new round of tit-for-tat fighting.
US Trade Pressure
On Saturday, a representative from Thailand's foreign office told journalists that a letter from the U.S. trade office announcing the suspension of trade deal talks was received on the previous evening.
He quoted the document as stating that discussions on trade – which are focusing on a US tariff of 19% – could resume 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 flew to Florida 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,” adding, “they are performing well. I believe they will be okay.”
Ceasefire Agreement Background
The President witnessed the finalization of a ceasefire agreement, held in Malaysia this last autumn, and has promoted it as one of several deals around the world he says should win him the prestigious peace award.
The worst fighting in a ten years between military forces of both nations broke out in July, with exchanges of fire, shelling and aerial attacks leaving dozens of people killed and 300,000 displaced.
Longstanding Border Dispute
Thailand and Cambodia have a historic territorial disagreement that originates from disagreements over colonial-era maps created by French cartographers. Historic shrines along the border are disputed by each nation.
International news agency provided input for this coverage.