The US President Compels Thailand to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodia Ceasefire with ‘Threat of Tariffs’
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 suspended as efforts are made to prevent a Trump-mediated ceasefire arrangement from collapsing.
Border Tensions Escalate
In recent days, Thailand announced it was putting on hold the ceasefire deal, accusing Cambodian forces of planting new explosives along the mutual frontier, including one that reportedly wounded a Thai soldier on duty, who lost a foot in the blast.
Following this, a fatality occurred and several others wounded by gunfire along the border between the two nations, raising concerns of a fresh wave of tit-for-tat fighting.
American Economic Leverage
Over the weekend, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson informed reporters that a official communication from the Office of the US Trade Representative declaring the suspension of trade deal talks was received on Friday night.
He quoted the document as saying that trade negotiations – which are focusing on a US tariff of 19% – could restart once the Thai government renewed its pledge to carrying out 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 aboard the presidential plane as he traveled to the Sunshine State on the end of the week, the US leader suggested that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in discussions with the south-east Asian leaders.
The US president said, “I stopped a war just today through the use of tariffs, the threat of tariffs,” continuing, “they are performing well. I believe they will be okay.”
Ceasefire Agreement Background
Trump oversaw the signing of a peace deal, held in Malaysia this last autumn, and has touted it as one of multiple agreements around the world he says should earn him the Nobel Peace prize.
The most severe clashes in a ten years between military forces of both nations broke out in mid-summer, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes causing numerous fatalities and 300,000 displaced.
Longstanding Border Dispute
Thailand and Cambodia have a historic territorial disagreement that originates from disagreements over colonial-era maps drawn up by the French. Historic shrines along the frontier are disputed by each nation.
International news agency contributed to this report.
