Trump Urges Thailand to Recommit to Cambodia Truce with Trade Penalties
The United States has applied pressure on Thailand to recommit to a ceasefire agreement with the Cambodian side, stating that trade talks could be halted as attempts are made to stop a Donald Trump-brokered peace agreement from falling apart.
Border Tensions Escalate
Earlier this week, Thailand announced it was putting on hold the truce agreement, accusing Cambodia of planting new explosives along the shared border, including one that allegedly injured a Thai soldier on patrol, who suffered a foot amputation in the blast.
Since then, a fatality occurred and multiple individuals injured by exchanges of fire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, sparking fears of a new round of retaliatory clashes.
US Trade Pressure
Over the weekend, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson told journalists that a official communication from the U.S. trade office announcing the pause in trade negotiations was obtained on Friday night.
He quoted the letter as saying that discussions on trade – which are addressing a 19 percent American duty – could restart once the Thai government reaffirmed its commitment to implementing 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, the US leader suggested that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in calls with the south-east Asian leaders.
He stated, “I stopped a war just today through the use of tariffs, the threat of tariffs,” adding, “they’re doing great. I think they’re gonna be fine.”
Ceasefire Agreement Background
The President witnessed the finalization of a peace deal, conducted in Malaysian territory this last autumn, and has touted it as one of multiple agreements around the globe he claims should win him the Nobel Peace prize.
The most severe clashes in a decade between Thai and Cambodian troops erupted in mid-summer, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes leaving dozens of people killed and 300,000 displaced.
Historic Frontier Conflict
The two neighboring countries have a historic territorial disagreement that originates from disagreements over colonial-era maps created by French cartographers. Historic shrines along the border are disputed by each nation.
Reuters provided input for this coverage.
