Trump Urges Thailand to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodia Truce with Trade Penalties
Washington has exerted influence on Thailand to reaffirm its dedication to a truce deal with Cambodia, stating that trade talks could be suspended as efforts are made to stop a Donald Trump-brokered ceasefire arrangement from falling apart.
Border Tensions Escalate
In recent days, Thailand declared it was putting on hold the ceasefire deal, alleging Cambodian forces of planting new explosives along the mutual frontier, among them an incident that reportedly injured a Thai soldier on duty, who lost a foot in the blast.
Since then, one person has been killed and multiple individuals injured by exchanges of fire along the border between the two nations, sparking fears of a new round of retaliatory clashes.
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 announcing the suspension of trade deal talks was obtained on the previous evening.
He quoted the document as saying that trade negotiations – which are focusing on a US tariff of 19% – 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 flew to Florida on the end of the week, the US leader implied that he had employed tariff warnings in calls with the ASEAN nation heads.
The US president said, “Today, I prevented a conflict using tariffs, the menace of duties,” adding, “they are performing well. I believe they will be okay.”
Ceasefire Agreement Background
Trump oversaw the signing of a peace deal, conducted in Malaysian territory this October, and has promoted it as one of multiple agreements around the world he says should earn him the Nobel Peace prize.
The most severe clashes in a decade between Thai and Cambodian troops broke out in July, with exchanges of fire, shelling and aerial attacks causing numerous fatalities and 300,000 displaced.
Longstanding Border Dispute
Thailand and Cambodia have a longstanding border dispute that originates from disagreements over maps from the colonial period drawn up by the French. Ancient temples along the frontier are disputed by each nation.
Reuters contributed to this report.