The US President Pressures the Thai government to Recommit to Cambodian Truce with ‘Threat of Tariffs’
Washington has exerted influence on Thailand to recommit to a truce deal with the Cambodian side, warning that trade negotiations could be paused as attempts are made to prevent a Trump-mediated peace agreement from collapsing.
Border Tensions Escalate
Earlier this week, Thailand declared it was putting on hold the truce agreement, accusing Cambodia of planting new explosives along the mutual frontier, including one that allegedly injured a Thai soldier on duty, who suffered a foot amputation in the explosion.
Since then, a fatality occurred and multiple individuals injured by exchanges of fire along the border between the two nations, sparking fears of a new round of retaliatory clashes.
American Economic Leverage
On Saturday, a representative from Thailand's foreign office informed reporters that a letter from the Office of the US Trade Representative announcing the suspension of trade deal talks was received on Friday night.
He quoted the letter as saying that discussions on trade – which are addressing a US tariff of 19% – could resume once the Thai government reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the joint ceasefire declaration.
“Trade talks are ongoing and distinct from frontier matters,” said another government spokesperson.
Trump’s Tariff Threat
Speaking to the press on Air Force One as he flew to Florida on Friday, Trump implied that he had employed tariff warnings 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’re doing great. I think they’re gonna be fine.”
Truce Deal Origins
The President witnessed the finalization of a peace deal, held in Malaysia this October, and has touted it as one of multiple agreements around the world he says should win him the Nobel Peace prize.
The most severe clashes in a decade 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.
Historic Frontier Conflict
Thailand and Cambodia have a historic territorial disagreement that originates from disagreements over maps from the colonial period drawn up by the French. Ancient temples along the border are disputed by each nation.
Reuters provided input for this coverage.
