The US President Pressures the Thai government to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodia Truce with ‘Threat of Tariffs’
Washington has exerted influence on the Thai administration to reaffirm its dedication to a truce deal with the Cambodian side, indicating that trade talks could be halted as efforts are made to prevent a Donald Trump-brokered ceasefire arrangement from collapsing.
Border Tensions Escalate
Earlier this week, Thai officials announced it was putting on hold the truce agreement, accusing Cambodia of laying fresh landmines along the shared border, including one that allegedly wounded a Thai soldier on duty, who suffered a foot amputation in the explosion.
Since then, one person has been killed and multiple individuals injured by exchanges of fire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, raising concerns of a fresh wave of retaliatory clashes.
American Economic Leverage
On Saturday, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson informed reporters that a letter from the Office of the US Trade Representative announcing the pause in trade negotiations was received on the previous evening.
The spokesperson referenced the document as stating that trade negotiations – which are addressing a 19 percent American duty – could resume once the Thai government reaffirmed its commitment to carrying out the joint ceasefire declaration.
“Trade talks are ongoing and distinct from frontier matters,” stated another government spokesperson.
Trump’s Tariff Threat
Speaking to the press 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 south-east Asian leaders.
The US president said, “I stopped a war just today through the use of tariffs, the threat of tariffs,” adding, “they’re doing great. I think they’re gonna be fine.”
Truce Deal Origins
The President witnessed the finalization of a ceasefire agreement, held in Malaysia this last autumn, and has touted it as one of several deals around the world he claims should earn 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 leaving dozens of people killed and hundreds of thousands forced to flee.
Longstanding Border Dispute
Thailand and Cambodia have a longstanding border dispute that originates from disagreements over colonial-era maps drawn up by the French. Historic shrines along the border are disputed by each nation.
Reuters contributed to this report.
