The US President Compels Thailand to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodian Truce with Tariff Warnings
The United States has applied pressure on the Thai administration to recommit to a truce deal with the Cambodian side, warning that trade talks could be suspended as efforts are made to prevent a Donald Trump-brokered ceasefire arrangement from falling apart.
Border Tensions Escalate
In recent days, Thai officials 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 allegedly injured a Thai soldier on duty, who lost a foot in the explosion.
Following this, one person has been killed and several others wounded by gunfire along the border between the two nations, sparking fears of a fresh wave of retaliatory clashes.
American Economic Leverage
On Saturday, a representative from Thailand's foreign office informed reporters that a official communication from the U.S. trade office declaring the suspension of trade deal talks was received on the previous evening.
He quoted the document as saying that discussions on trade – which are focusing on a 19 percent American duty – could restart once the Thai government renewed its pledge to carrying out the joint ceasefire declaration.
“Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” said a different official representative.
Trump’s Tariff Threat
Addressing reporters on Air Force One as he flew to Florida on Friday, Trump 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,” continuing, “they are performing well. I believe they will be okay.”
Ceasefire Agreement Background
The President witnessed the finalization of a ceasefire agreement, conducted in Malaysian territory this October, and has touted it as one of several deals around the world he claims should earn him the prestigious peace award.
The most severe clashes in a ten years between Thai and Cambodian troops erupted in mid-summer, with exchanges of fire, shelling and aerial attacks leaving dozens of people killed and 300,000 displaced.
Historic Frontier Conflict
Thailand and Cambodia have a longstanding border dispute that dates back to conflicts regarding maps from the colonial period drawn up by the French. Historic shrines along the border are claimed by both sides.
International news agency contributed to this report.
