Trump Compels Thailand to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodia Truce with ‘Threat of Tariffs’
Washington has exerted influence on the Thai administration to recommit to a ceasefire agreement with Cambodia, stating that trade negotiations could be paused as attempts are made to prevent a Trump-mediated peace agreement from collapsing.
Rising Border Hostilities
In recent days, Thailand announced it was suspending the ceasefire deal, accusing Cambodia of planting new explosives along the shared border, among them an incident that allegedly injured a Thai military personnel on duty, who suffered a foot amputation in the blast.
Following this, one person has been killed and multiple individuals injured by gunfire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, sparking fears of a new round of tit-for-tat fighting.
American Economic Leverage
On Saturday, a representative from Thailand's foreign office informed reporters 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 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 a different official representative.
Trump’s Tariff Threat
Addressing reporters on Air Force One as he traveled to the Sunshine State on the end of the week, Trump implied that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in calls with the south-east Asian leaders.
The US president said, “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
Trump oversaw the signing of a peace deal, held in Malaysia this last autumn, and has touted it as one of multiple agreements around the world he claims should win him the prestigious peace award.
The worst fighting 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 longstanding border dispute that originates from conflicts regarding maps from the colonial period created by French cartographers. Ancient temples along the frontier are claimed by both sides.
Reuters provided input for this coverage.
