The US President Pressures Thailand to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodia Ceasefire with Trade Penalties
The United States has applied pressure on Thailand to reaffirm its dedication to a truce deal with the Cambodian side, warning that trade talks could be halted as efforts are made to stop a Trump-mediated peace agreement from collapsing.
Rising Border Hostilities
Earlier this week, Thai officials declared it was putting on hold the truce agreement, accusing Cambodia of laying fresh landmines along the shared border, including one that reportedly injured a Thai soldier on patrol, who suffered a foot amputation in the explosion.
Following this, 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.
American Economic Leverage
On Saturday, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson told journalists that a letter from the U.S. trade office declaring the pause in trade negotiations was obtained on the previous evening.
The spokesperson referenced the document as stating that discussions on trade – which are focusing on a US tariff of 19% – could restart once Thailand renewed its pledge to carrying out the joint ceasefire declaration.
“Trade talks are ongoing and distinct from frontier matters,” said another government spokesperson.
President’s Economic Warning
Addressing reporters aboard the presidential plane as he traveled to the Sunshine State on the end of the week, the US leader implied that he had employed tariff warnings in discussions with the ASEAN nation heads.
He stated, “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 ceasefire agreement, held in Malaysia this October, and has promoted it as one of several deals around the globe he claims should earn him the Nobel Peace prize.
The worst fighting in a decade between military forces of both nations broke out in July, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes causing numerous fatalities and 300,000 displaced.
Longstanding Border Dispute
Thailand and Cambodia have a historic territorial disagreement that dates back to disagreements over colonial-era maps drawn up by the French. Historic shrines along the border are disputed by each nation.
International news agency contributed to this report.
