The US President Pressures the Thai government to Recommit to Cambodian Truce with Tariff Warnings
Washington has exerted influence on Thailand to recommit to a ceasefire agreement with Cambodia, warning that trade talks could be paused as attempts are made to stop a Donald Trump-brokered peace agreement from falling apart.
Rising Border Hostilities
Earlier this week, Thai officials announced it was putting on hold the ceasefire deal, alleging Cambodia of planting new explosives along the shared border, including one that reportedly injured a Thai soldier on patrol, who lost a foot in the blast.
Following this, one person has been killed and multiple individuals injured by gunfire along the border between the two nations, sparking fears of a fresh wave 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 announcing the pause in trade negotiations was received on the previous evening.
He quoted the letter as stating that discussions on trade – which are focusing on a US tariff of 19% – could restart once Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to carrying out the mutual truce agreement.
“Trade talks are ongoing and distinct from frontier matters,” stated a different official representative.
Trump’s Tariff Threat
Speaking to the press on Air Force One as he traveled to the Sunshine State on the end of the week, Trump implied that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in calls with the ASEAN nation heads.
He stated, “Today, I prevented a conflict using tariffs, the menace of duties,” adding, “they’re doing great. I think they’re gonna be fine.”
Truce Deal Origins
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 globe he says should win him the Nobel Peace prize.
The most severe clashes in a ten years between military forces of both nations erupted in July, with exchanges of fire, shelling and aerial attacks leaving dozens of people killed and 300,000 displaced.
Historic Frontier Conflict
The two neighboring countries have a longstanding border dispute that originates from conflicts regarding colonial-era maps created by French cartographers. Ancient temples along the frontier are disputed by each nation.
International news agency contributed to this report.
