Trump Pressures Thailand to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodia Truce with ‘Threat of Tariffs’
Washington has exerted influence on the Thai administration to recommit to a truce deal with Cambodia, indicating that trade talks could be halted as attempts are made to stop a Donald Trump-brokered ceasefire arrangement from falling apart.
Rising Border Hostilities
Earlier this week, Thailand declared it was putting on hold the truce agreement, alleging Cambodian forces of laying fresh landmines along the mutual frontier, including one that allegedly injured a Thai soldier 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 retaliatory clashes.
US Trade Pressure
On Saturday, a representative from Thailand's foreign office told journalists that a letter from the U.S. trade office declaring the suspension of trade deal talks was received on Friday night.
He quoted the document as stating that trade negotiations – which are addressing a US tariff of 19% – could resume once Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the mutual truce agreement.
“Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” said a different official representative.
Trump’s Tariff Threat
Addressing reporters aboard the presidential plane as he flew to Florida on Friday, the US leader implied that he had used the “threat of tariffs” 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’re doing great. I think they’re gonna be fine.”
Truce Deal Origins
Trump oversaw the signing of a ceasefire agreement, held in Malaysia this last autumn, and has promoted it as one of multiple agreements around the globe he claims should earn him the prestigious peace award.
The most severe clashes in a ten years between military forces of both nations broke out in July, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes causing numerous fatalities and 300,000 displaced.
Historic Frontier Conflict
Thailand and Cambodia have a historic territorial disagreement 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 provided input for this coverage.
