Trump Compels the Thai government to Recommit to Cambodia Ceasefire with ‘Threat of Tariffs’
Washington has exerted influence on the Thai administration to recommit to a ceasefire agreement with Cambodia, warning that trade negotiations could be suspended as attempts are made to stop a Trump-mediated ceasefire arrangement from falling apart.
Border Tensions Escalate
In recent days, Thai officials declared it was putting on hold the truce agreement, alleging Cambodian forces of laying fresh landmines along the shared border, including one that allegedly injured a Thai military personnel on patrol, who lost a foot in the blast.
Since then, a fatality occurred and several others wounded by gunfire along the border between the two nations, raising concerns of a fresh wave of tit-for-tat fighting.
American Economic Leverage
On Saturday, a representative from Thailand's foreign office told journalists that a official communication 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 saying that trade negotiations – which are focusing on a 19 percent American duty – could resume once Thailand renewed its pledge to implementing the mutual truce agreement.
“Trade talks are ongoing and distinct from frontier matters,” stated a different official representative.
Trump’s Tariff Threat
Addressing reporters aboard the presidential plane as he traveled to the Sunshine State on the end of the week, the US leader implied that he had employed tariff warnings in calls with the south-east Asian leaders.
He stated, “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.”
Truce Deal Origins
The President witnessed the finalization of a peace deal, held in Malaysia this last autumn, and has promoted it as one of several deals around the globe he says should win him the Nobel Peace prize.
The most severe clashes in a decade between Thai and Cambodian troops erupted in mid-summer, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes leaving dozens of people killed and hundreds of thousands forced to flee.
Longstanding Border Dispute
Thailand and Cambodia have a longstanding border dispute 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.
