Trump Urges the Thai government to Recommit to Cambodia Truce with ‘Threat of Tariffs’
Washington has exerted influence on Thailand to reaffirm its dedication to a truce deal with Cambodia, indicating that trade talks could be halted as attempts are made to stop a Donald Trump-brokered peace agreement from collapsing.
Rising Border Hostilities
Earlier this week, Thai officials declared it was putting on hold the ceasefire deal, alleging Cambodian forces of laying fresh landmines along the shared border, among them an incident that reportedly wounded a Thai military personnel 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 tit-for-tat fighting.
US Trade Pressure
Over the weekend, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson told journalists that a official communication from the Office of the US Trade Representative declaring the suspension of trade deal talks was obtained on Friday night.
He quoted the document as stating that discussions on trade – which are addressing a 19 percent American duty – could restart once the Thai government renewed its pledge to implementing the mutual truce agreement.
“Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” stated a different official representative.
President’s Economic Warning
Speaking to the press aboard the presidential plane as he flew to Florida on Friday, the US leader implied that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in calls with the ASEAN nation heads.
The US president said, “Today, I prevented a conflict using tariffs, the menace of duties,” adding, “they’re doing great. I think they’re gonna be fine.”
Truce Deal Origins
Trump oversaw the signing of a ceasefire agreement, held in Malaysia this October, and has touted it as one of multiple agreements around the world he claims should earn him the prestigious peace award.
The most severe clashes in a decade between military forces of both nations erupted in July, with exchanges of fire, shelling and aerial attacks causing numerous fatalities and hundreds of thousands forced to flee.
Historic Frontier Conflict
Thailand and Cambodia have a longstanding border dispute that originates from conflicts regarding maps from the colonial period drawn up by the French. Ancient temples along the frontier are disputed by each nation.
Reuters provided input for this coverage.
