Trump Pressures the Thai government to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodia Ceasefire with ‘Threat of Tariffs’
The United States has applied pressure on Thailand to recommit to a ceasefire agreement with the Cambodian side, indicating that trade talks could be halted as attempts are made to prevent a Trump-mediated peace agreement from collapsing.
Border Tensions Escalate
In recent days, Thai officials announced it was putting on hold the ceasefire deal, alleging Cambodia of laying fresh landmines along the mutual frontier, including one that allegedly wounded a Thai military personnel on duty, who lost a foot in the blast.
Since then, a fatality occurred and multiple individuals injured by gunfire along the border between the two nations, sparking fears of a new round of tit-for-tat fighting.
US Trade Pressure
On Saturday, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson told journalists that a letter from the U.S. trade office declaring the suspension of trade deal talks was received 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 resume once Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to carrying out the joint ceasefire declaration.
“Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” said another government spokesperson.
President’s Economic Warning
Speaking to the press on Air Force One 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.
He stated, “I stopped a war just today through the use of tariffs, the threat of tariffs,” adding, “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 promoted it as one of several deals around the world he says should earn him the Nobel Peace prize.
The most severe clashes in a decade between military forces of both nations erupted in July, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes causing numerous fatalities and hundreds of thousands forced to flee.
Longstanding Border Dispute
Thailand and Cambodia have a longstanding border dispute that dates back to conflicts regarding colonial-era maps drawn up by the French. Ancient temples along the frontier are disputed by each nation.
International news agency provided input for this coverage.
