Trump Compels Thailand to Recommit to Cambodian Ceasefire with ‘Threat of Tariffs’
The United States has applied pressure on Thailand to reaffirm its dedication to a ceasefire agreement with Cambodia, warning that trade talks could be halted as attempts are made to stop a Trump-mediated peace agreement from collapsing.
Border Tensions Escalate
In recent days, Thai officials announced it was suspending the truce agreement, alleging Cambodian forces of planting new explosives along the mutual frontier, among them an incident that reportedly wounded a Thai military personnel on patrol, who suffered a foot amputation in the explosion.
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 tit-for-tat fighting.
American Economic Leverage
Over the weekend, a representative from Thailand's foreign office informed reporters that a official communication from the U.S. trade office announcing the pause in trade negotiations was received on Friday night.
The spokesperson referenced the document as saying that trade negotiations – which are focusing on a 19 percent American duty – could resume once Thailand renewed its pledge to carrying out the mutual truce agreement.
“Trade talks are ongoing and distinct from frontier matters,” said a different official representative.
Trump’s Tariff Threat
Speaking to the press on Air Force One as he flew to Florida on the end of the week, the US leader suggested that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in discussions with the ASEAN nation heads.
The US president said, “I stopped a war just today through the use of tariffs, the threat of tariffs,” continuing, “they are performing well. I believe they will be okay.”
Ceasefire Agreement Background
Trump oversaw the signing of a peace deal, held in Malaysia this last autumn, and has touted it as one of several deals around the globe he says should win him the Nobel Peace prize.
The worst fighting in a ten years between Thai and Cambodian troops broke out in July, with exchanges of fire, shelling and aerial attacks leaving dozens of people killed and 300,000 displaced.
Longstanding Border Dispute
Thailand and Cambodia have a historic territorial disagreement that dates back to disagreements over colonial-era maps drawn up by the French. Historic shrines along the border are disputed by each nation.
Reuters provided input for this coverage.
