Trump Pressures Thailand to Recommit to Cambodian Ceasefire with Tariff Warnings
Washington has exerted influence on Thailand to recommit to a truce deal with Cambodia, indicating that trade talks could be suspended as attempts are made to stop a Trump-mediated ceasefire arrangement from falling apart.
Border Tensions Escalate
Earlier this week, Thai officials announced it was putting on hold the truce agreement, alleging Cambodian forces of laying fresh landmines along the mutual frontier, including one that reportedly injured a Thai soldier on duty, who lost a foot in the blast.
Since then, one person has been killed and several others wounded by gunfire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, raising concerns of a fresh wave of retaliatory clashes.
US Trade Pressure
On Saturday, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson told journalists that a official communication from the Office of the US Trade Representative announcing the suspension of trade deal talks was received on Friday night.
He quoted the document as stating that trade negotiations – which are addressing a 19 percent American duty – could restart once Thailand renewed its pledge to carrying out the joint ceasefire declaration.
“Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” stated another government spokesperson.
Trump’s Tariff Threat
Speaking to the press on Air Force One as he flew to Florida on Friday, Trump implied that he had employed tariff warnings in discussions with the ASEAN nation heads.
The US president said, “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.”
Truce Deal Origins
Trump oversaw the signing of a ceasefire agreement, conducted in Malaysian territory this last autumn, and has touted it as one of multiple agreements around the world he says should win him the prestigious peace award.
The worst fighting in a ten years between military forces of both nations erupted in July, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes causing numerous fatalities and hundreds of thousands forced to flee.
Longstanding Border Dispute
Thailand and Cambodia have a historic territorial disagreement that originates from disagreements over maps from the colonial period created by French cartographers. Historic shrines along the border are claimed by both sides.
International news agency contributed to this report.