The US President Urges Thailand to Recommit to Cambodian Truce with ‘Threat of Tariffs’
Washington has exerted influence on Thailand to recommit to a truce deal with the Cambodian side, indicating that trade talks could be halted as efforts are made to prevent a Trump-mediated peace agreement from collapsing.
Border Tensions Escalate
In recent days, Thai officials announced it was putting on hold the truce agreement, accusing Cambodian forces of laying fresh landmines along the shared border, among them an incident that reportedly wounded a Thai military personnel on duty, who suffered a foot amputation in the explosion.
Since then, a fatality occurred and several others wounded by gunfire along the border between the two nations, sparking fears 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 Office of the US Trade Representative declaring the suspension of trade deal talks was received on the previous evening.
He quoted the letter as saying that discussions on trade – which are focusing on a 19 percent American duty – could restart once the Thai government reaffirmed its commitment to carrying out the mutual truce agreement.
“Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” said another government spokesperson.
President’s Economic Warning
Addressing reporters aboard the presidential plane as he traveled to the Sunshine State on Friday, the US leader suggested that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in discussions with the south-east Asian leaders.
The US president said, “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 touted it as one of several deals around the world he claims should win him the Nobel Peace prize.
The most severe clashes in a decade between Thai and Cambodian troops broke out in mid-summer, with exchanges of fire, shelling and aerial attacks causing numerous fatalities and 300,000 displaced.
Historic Frontier Conflict
Thailand and Cambodia have a historic territorial disagreement that dates back to disagreements over maps from the colonial period created by French cartographers. Ancient temples along the frontier are disputed by each nation.
International news agency provided input for this coverage.
