The US President Pressures the Thai government to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodian Ceasefire with ‘Threat of Tariffs’
Washington has exerted influence on the Thai administration to recommit to a truce deal with the Cambodian side, indicating that trade negotiations could be halted as attempts are made to stop a Trump-mediated peace agreement from falling apart.
Border Tensions Escalate
Earlier this week, Thai officials declared it was suspending the ceasefire deal, alleging Cambodia of laying fresh landmines along the mutual frontier, including one that reportedly wounded a Thai military personnel on duty, who lost a foot in the blast.
Since then, one person has been killed and multiple individuals injured by gunfire along the border between the two nations, raising concerns of a new round of tit-for-tat fighting.
American Economic Leverage
Over the weekend, a representative from Thailand's foreign office told journalists that a official communication from the U.S. trade office declaring the suspension of trade deal talks was received on the previous evening.
He quoted the letter as saying that discussions on trade – which are focusing on a US tariff of 19% – could resume once the Thai government renewed its pledge to implementing the joint ceasefire declaration.
“Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” said a different official representative.
Trump’s Tariff Threat
Speaking to the press on Air Force One as he traveled to the Sunshine State on Friday, Trump implied that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in discussions with the ASEAN nation heads.
The US president said, “Today, I prevented a conflict using tariffs, the menace of duties,” adding, “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 promoted 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 broke out 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 longstanding border dispute that originates from conflicts regarding 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.
