Trump Urges Thailand to Recommit to Cambodian Truce with Tariff Warnings
Washington has exerted influence on Thailand to reaffirm its dedication to a ceasefire agreement with the Cambodian side, indicating that trade negotiations could be halted as efforts are made to prevent a Donald Trump-brokered peace agreement from collapsing.
Rising Border Hostilities
Earlier this week, Thailand announced it was putting on hold the truce agreement, alleging Cambodia of laying fresh landmines along the shared border, including one that allegedly wounded a Thai soldier on patrol, who suffered a foot amputation in the explosion.
Following this, a fatality occurred and several others wounded by exchanges of fire along the border between the two nations, sparking fears of a new round of retaliatory clashes.
US Trade Pressure
On Saturday, a representative from Thailand's foreign office told journalists that a letter from the Office of the US Trade Representative announcing the pause in trade negotiations was obtained on the previous evening.
The spokesperson referenced the document as stating that trade negotiations – which are focusing on a 19 percent American duty – could resume once Thailand renewed its pledge to implementing the joint ceasefire declaration.
“Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” stated a different official representative.
Trump’s Tariff Threat
Addressing reporters on Air Force One as he traveled to the Sunshine State on the end of the week, Trump suggested 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,” continuing, “they’re doing great. I think they’re gonna be fine.”
Truce Deal Origins
The President witnessed the finalization of a peace deal, held in Malaysia this last autumn, and has touted it as one of several deals around the world he says 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 leaving dozens of people killed and hundreds of thousands forced to flee.
Longstanding Border Dispute
Thailand and Cambodia have a longstanding border dispute that originates from disagreements over colonial-era maps created by French cartographers. Ancient temples along the border are claimed by both sides.
Reuters contributed to this report.
