Trump Urges the Thai government to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodian Truce with Tariff Warnings
Washington has exerted influence on the Thai administration to recommit to a ceasefire agreement with the Cambodian side, indicating that trade negotiations could be halted as efforts are made to stop a Trump-mediated peace agreement from falling apart.
Rising Border Hostilities
Earlier this week, Thai officials declared it was suspending the truce agreement, accusing Cambodian forces of planting new explosives along the mutual frontier, among them an incident that allegedly injured a Thai military personnel on duty, who suffered a foot amputation in the blast.
Since then, one person has been killed and several others wounded by gunfire along the border between the two nations, raising concerns 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 Friday night.
He quoted the letter as saying that discussions on trade – which are focusing on a 19 percent American duty – could restart once Thailand renewed its pledge to implementing the mutual truce agreement.
“Trade talks are ongoing and distinct from frontier matters,” stated another government spokesperson.
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, Trump suggested that he had employed tariff warnings in calls with the south-east Asian leaders.
He stated, “Today, I prevented a conflict using tariffs, the menace of duties,” 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 globe he says should win him the prestigious peace award.
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 historic territorial disagreement that dates back to conflicts regarding maps from the colonial period drawn up by the French. Historic shrines along the frontier are disputed by each nation.
Reuters contributed to this report.
