The US President Pressures Thailand to Recommit to Cambodia Ceasefire with ‘Threat of Tariffs’
The United States has applied pressure on the Thai administration to recommit to a ceasefire agreement with the Cambodian side, warning that trade negotiations could be paused as attempts are made to stop a Trump-mediated peace agreement from collapsing.
Rising Border Hostilities
In recent days, Thai officials declared it was putting on hold the ceasefire deal, accusing Cambodia of laying fresh landmines along the mutual frontier, among them an incident that reportedly wounded a Thai soldier on patrol, who lost a foot in the blast.
Following this, a fatality occurred and multiple individuals injured by gunfire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, sparking fears of a fresh wave of tit-for-tat fighting.
American Economic Leverage
Over the weekend, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson told journalists that a letter from the U.S. trade office announcing the pause in trade negotiations was obtained on the previous evening.
The spokesperson referenced the letter as stating that trade negotiations – which are focusing on a US tariff of 19% – 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.
Trump’s Tariff Threat
Addressing reporters on Air Force One as he traveled to the Sunshine State on Friday, the US leader implied that he had employed tariff warnings in discussions with the ASEAN nation heads.
He stated, “I stopped a war just today through the use of tariffs, the threat of tariffs,” adding, “they are performing well. I believe they will be okay.”
Ceasefire Agreement Background
The President witnessed the finalization of a peace deal, held in Malaysia this October, and has touted it as one of several deals around the world he says should earn him the prestigious peace award.
The worst fighting in a decade between Thai and Cambodian troops broke out in July, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes leaving dozens of people killed and 300,000 displaced.
Historic Frontier Conflict
Thailand and Cambodia have a historic territorial disagreement that originates from disagreements over colonial-era maps created by French cartographers. Historic shrines along the frontier are disputed by each nation.
International news agency contributed to this report.
