Trump Urges the Thai government to Recommit to Cambodian Truce with Tariff Warnings
Washington has exerted influence on Thailand to recommit to a ceasefire agreement with Cambodia, indicating that trade negotiations could be suspended as attempts are made to stop a Donald Trump-brokered peace agreement from collapsing.
Border Tensions Escalate
Earlier this week, Thailand announced it was putting on hold the truce agreement, alleging Cambodia of planting new explosives along the shared border, including one that reportedly wounded a Thai soldier on patrol, who lost a foot in the blast.
Since then, one person has been killed and multiple individuals injured by exchanges of fire along the border between the two nations, raising concerns of a fresh wave of retaliatory clashes.
American Economic Leverage
On Saturday, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson told journalists that a letter from the U.S. trade office declaring the suspension of trade deal talks was received on the previous evening.
The spokesperson referenced the document as saying that trade negotiations – which are addressing a US tariff of 19% – could restart once the Thai government reaffirmed its commitment to carrying out the joint ceasefire declaration.
“Trade talks are ongoing and distinct from frontier matters,” said another government spokesperson.
Trump’s Tariff Threat
Addressing reporters on Air Force One as he traveled to the Sunshine State on Friday, the US leader implied that he had used the “threat of tariffs” 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’re doing great. I think they’re gonna be fine.”
Ceasefire Agreement Background
Trump oversaw the signing of a ceasefire agreement, conducted in Malaysian territory this October, and has promoted it as one of multiple agreements around the world he claims should win him the Nobel Peace prize.
The most severe clashes in a decade between Thai and Cambodian troops broke out in mid-summer, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes causing numerous fatalities and hundreds of thousands forced to flee.
Longstanding Border Dispute
Thailand and Cambodia have a longstanding border dispute that dates back to conflicts regarding maps from the colonial period drawn up by the French. Ancient temples along the border are disputed by each nation.
Reuters provided input for this coverage.
