The US President Compels the Thai government to Reaffirm Commitment 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 suspended as attempts are made to prevent a Donald Trump-brokered peace agreement from falling apart.
Border Tensions Escalate
In recent days, Thailand announced it was suspending the ceasefire deal, alleging Cambodian forces of planting new explosives along the shared border, including one that allegedly injured a Thai military personnel on patrol, who lost a foot in the explosion.
Following this, a fatality occurred and several others wounded by exchanges of fire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, sparking fears of a new round of tit-for-tat fighting.
US Trade Pressure
Over the weekend, a representative from Thailand's foreign office told journalists that a official communication from the U.S. trade office declaring the suspension of trade deal talks was obtained on the previous evening.
He quoted the letter as saying that discussions on trade – which are focusing on a US tariff of 19% – could restart 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.
Trump’s Tariff Threat
Addressing reporters on Air Force One as he flew to Florida on the end of the week, Trump implied that he had employed tariff warnings 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,” adding, “they are performing well. I believe they will be okay.”
Truce Deal Origins
Trump oversaw the signing of a peace deal, conducted in Malaysian territory this October, and has promoted it as one of several deals around the world he claims should earn him the Nobel Peace prize.
The worst fighting in a decade between Thai and Cambodian troops erupted in mid-summer, with exchanges of fire, shelling and aerial attacks causing numerous fatalities and 300,000 displaced.
Historic Frontier Conflict
Thailand and Cambodia have a historic territorial disagreement that originates from disagreements over colonial-era maps drawn up by the French. Ancient temples along the border are claimed by both sides.
International news agency provided input for this coverage.
