The US President Urges the Thai government to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodia Ceasefire with Trade Penalties
Washington has exerted influence on Thailand to reaffirm its dedication to a truce deal with Cambodia, stating that trade negotiations could be paused as attempts are made to stop a Trump-mediated peace agreement from collapsing.
Border Tensions Escalate
In recent days, Thai officials declared it was suspending the ceasefire deal, alleging Cambodia of laying fresh landmines along the mutual frontier, including one that allegedly injured a Thai military personnel on patrol, who suffered a foot amputation 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.
US Trade Pressure
On Saturday, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson told journalists that a official communication from the Office of the US Trade Representative announcing the suspension of trade deal talks was received on Friday night.
The spokesperson referenced the document as stating that discussions on trade – which are addressing a US tariff of 19% – could resume once the Thai government reaffirmed its commitment to carrying out the mutual truce agreement.
“Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” said a different official representative.
President’s Economic Warning
Speaking to the press on Air Force One as he traveled to the Sunshine State on Friday, Trump suggested that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in discussions with the south-east Asian leaders.
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
The President witnessed the finalization of a ceasefire agreement, conducted in Malaysian territory this October, and has promoted it as one of multiple agreements around the globe he claims should win him the prestigious peace award.
The worst fighting in a ten years between Thai and Cambodian troops erupted 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 longstanding border dispute that dates back to disagreements over maps from the colonial period drawn up by the French. Ancient temples along the frontier are disputed by each nation.
International news agency contributed to this report.
