The US President Urges Thailand to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodian Truce with ‘Threat of Tariffs’
Washington has exerted influence on the Thai administration to recommit to a ceasefire agreement with Cambodia, stating that trade negotiations could be halted as attempts are made to prevent a Trump-mediated peace agreement from collapsing.
Border Tensions Escalate
Earlier this week, Thai officials declared it was suspending the truce agreement, accusing Cambodia of planting new explosives along the shared border, among them an incident that reportedly wounded a Thai soldier on duty, who lost a foot in the blast.
Since then, one person has been killed and several others wounded by exchanges of fire along the border between the two nations, sparking fears of a fresh wave of tit-for-tat fighting.
American Economic Leverage
Over the weekend, a representative from Thailand's foreign office informed reporters that a official communication from the U.S. trade office announcing the suspension of trade deal talks was obtained on the previous evening.
The spokesperson referenced the document as saying that discussions on trade – which are addressing a 19 percent American duty – could restart once Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to carrying out the mutual truce agreement.
“Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” said a different official representative.
President’s Economic Warning
Speaking to the press on Air Force One as he traveled to the Sunshine State on Friday, the US leader implied that he had employed tariff warnings 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 ceasefire agreement, conducted in Malaysian territory this October, and has touted it as one of multiple agreements around the world he claims should earn 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 causing numerous fatalities and 300,000 displaced.
Historic Frontier Conflict
The two neighboring countries have a historic territorial disagreement that originates from disagreements over colonial-era maps drawn up by the French. Historic shrines along the border are claimed by both sides.
Reuters contributed to this report.
