Trump Pressures Thailand to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodian Ceasefire with ‘Threat of Tariffs’
Washington has exerted influence on Thailand to recommit to a ceasefire agreement with Cambodia, stating that trade talks could be paused as attempts are made to stop a Donald Trump-brokered peace agreement from collapsing.
Rising Border Hostilities
In recent days, Thailand declared it was putting on hold the truce agreement, alleging Cambodia of planting new explosives along the shared border, including one that allegedly injured a Thai military personnel on duty, who lost a foot in the blast.
Following this, a fatality occurred and multiple individuals injured by gunfire along the border between the two nations, sparking fears of a fresh wave of tit-for-tat fighting.
American Economic Leverage
On Saturday, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson told journalists that a letter from the U.S. trade office announcing the suspension of trade deal talks was obtained on the previous evening.
The spokesperson referenced the letter as stating that discussions on trade – which are focusing on 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 the end of the week, Trump suggested that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in discussions with the ASEAN nation heads.
He stated, “Today, I prevented a conflict using tariffs, the menace of duties,” adding, “they’re doing great. I think they’re gonna be fine.”
Ceasefire Agreement Background
Trump oversaw the signing of a ceasefire agreement, held in Malaysia this October, and has promoted it as one of several deals around the world he says should earn him the Nobel Peace prize.
The most severe clashes in a ten years between Thai and Cambodian troops broke out in July, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes causing numerous fatalities and hundreds of thousands forced to flee.
Longstanding Border Dispute
The two neighboring countries have a historic territorial disagreement that dates back to disagreements over maps from the colonial period created by French cartographers. Historic shrines along the border are disputed by each nation.
International news agency contributed to this report.
