Trump Pressures the Thai government to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodian Ceasefire with ‘Threat of Tariffs’
The United States has applied pressure on the Thai administration to recommit to a ceasefire agreement with Cambodia, stating that trade talks could be halted as attempts are made to prevent a Trump-mediated ceasefire arrangement from falling apart.
Border Tensions Escalate
In recent days, Thai officials declared it was suspending the ceasefire deal, alleging Cambodian forces of planting new explosives along the mutual frontier, including one that reportedly injured a Thai soldier on duty, who suffered a foot amputation in the explosion.
Following this, one person has been killed and several others wounded by gunfire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, sparking fears of a fresh wave of tit-for-tat fighting.
US Trade Pressure
Over the weekend, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson told journalists that a letter from the Office of the US Trade Representative declaring the suspension of trade deal talks was obtained on Friday night.
He quoted the document as saying that trade negotiations – which are addressing a US tariff of 19% – could resume once Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the joint ceasefire declaration.
“Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” stated another government spokesperson.
Trump’s Tariff Threat
Addressing reporters on Air Force One as he flew to Florida on the end of the week, Trump suggested that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in calls with the south-east Asian leaders.
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 ceasefire agreement, conducted in Malaysian territory this last autumn, and has touted it as one of multiple agreements around the world he claims should win him the Nobel Peace prize.
The most severe clashes in a decade between Thai and Cambodian troops broke out in mid-summer, 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 maps from the colonial period drawn up by the French. Ancient temples along the border are disputed by each nation.
Reuters contributed to this report.
