Trump Pressures Thailand to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodia Ceasefire with Trade Penalties
Washington has exerted influence on Thailand to recommit to a ceasefire agreement with Cambodia, stating that trade negotiations could be paused as efforts are made to stop a Donald Trump-brokered peace agreement from collapsing.
Border Tensions Escalate
In recent days, Thai officials declared it was putting on hold the truce agreement, accusing Cambodia of planting new explosives along the mutual frontier, including one that allegedly injured a Thai military personnel on duty, who lost a foot in the explosion.
Following this, one person has been killed and several others wounded 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 informed reporters that a official communication from the Office of the US Trade Representative announcing the suspension of trade deal talks was received on the previous evening.
He quoted the document as saying that discussions on trade – which are addressing a US tariff of 19% – could resume once the Thai government renewed its pledge to implementing the joint ceasefire declaration.
“Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” said another government spokesperson.
Trump’s Tariff Threat
Speaking to the press on Air Force One as he flew to Florida on Friday, Trump 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,” continuing, “they are performing well. I believe they will be okay.”
Ceasefire Agreement Background
The President witnessed the finalization of a ceasefire agreement, held in Malaysia this last autumn, and has touted it as one of several deals around the globe he claims should win him the prestigious peace award.
The worst fighting 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
The two neighboring countries have a longstanding border dispute that originates from disagreements over maps from the colonial period drawn up by the French. Historic shrines along the border are disputed by each nation.
Reuters contributed to this report.
