Trump Compels the Thai government to Recommit to Cambodian Truce with ‘Threat of Tariffs’
The United States has applied pressure on the Thai administration to recommit to a truce deal with Cambodia, indicating that trade talks could be paused as efforts are made to stop a Trump-mediated ceasefire arrangement from collapsing.
Border Tensions Escalate
In recent days, Thailand announced it was putting on hold the truce agreement, alleging Cambodian forces of planting new explosives along the shared border, including one that reportedly injured a Thai military personnel on duty, who lost a foot in the blast.
Following this, one person has been killed and multiple individuals injured by exchanges of fire along the border between the two nations, sparking fears of a new round of retaliatory clashes.
US Trade Pressure
Over the weekend, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson told journalists 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 document as saying that trade negotiations – which are addressing a 19 percent American duty – could restart once the Thai government reaffirmed its commitment to implementing 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 aboard the presidential plane as he traveled to the Sunshine State on Friday, the US leader implied that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in calls with the ASEAN nation heads.
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
Trump oversaw the signing of a peace deal, held in Malaysia this last autumn, and has promoted it as one of multiple agreements around the world he says should earn him the prestigious peace award.
The worst fighting in a ten years between Thai and Cambodian troops erupted in July, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes leaving dozens of people killed and hundreds of thousands forced to flee.
Historic Frontier Conflict
The two neighboring countries have a longstanding border dispute that originates from disagreements over colonial-era maps drawn up by the French. Historic shrines along the border are claimed by both sides.
International news agency contributed to this report.
