Trump Urges Thailand to Recommit to Cambodia Ceasefire with ‘Threat of Tariffs’
The United States has applied pressure on Thailand to recommit to a truce deal with Cambodia, warning that trade negotiations could be suspended as efforts are made to stop a Donald Trump-brokered peace agreement from collapsing.
Border Tensions Escalate
Earlier this week, Thai officials declared it was suspending the truce agreement, alleging Cambodia of planting new explosives along the shared border, among them an incident that reportedly wounded a Thai soldier on patrol, who suffered a foot amputation in the explosion.
Since then, a fatality occurred and several others wounded by exchanges of fire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, sparking fears of a new round of retaliatory clashes.
American Economic Leverage
Over the weekend, a representative from Thailand's foreign office told journalists that a official communication from the Office of the US Trade Representative declaring the suspension of trade deal talks was received on Friday night.
He quoted the document as saying that discussions on trade – which are focusing on a 19 percent American duty – could resume once the Thai government reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the joint ceasefire declaration.
“Trade talks are ongoing and distinct from frontier matters,” said a different official representative.
President’s Economic Warning
Addressing reporters on Air Force One as he flew to Florida on Friday, the US leader implied that he had employed tariff warnings in discussions with the ASEAN nation heads.
He stated, “Today, I prevented a conflict using tariffs, the menace of duties,” continuing, “they’re doing great. I think they’re gonna be fine.”
Ceasefire Agreement Background
The President witnessed the finalization of a peace deal, held in Malaysia this October, and has promoted it as one of multiple agreements around the world he claims should win him the Nobel Peace prize.
The most severe clashes in a ten years between military forces of both nations broke out in July, with exchanges of fire, shelling and aerial attacks causing numerous fatalities and 300,000 displaced.
Historic Frontier Conflict
Thailand and Cambodia have a longstanding border dispute that originates from disagreements over maps from the colonial period created by French cartographers. Historic shrines along the frontier are disputed by each nation.
Reuters provided input for this coverage.
