The US President Pressures the Thai government to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodia Truce with ‘Threat of Tariffs’

Washington has exerted influence on Thailand to reaffirm its dedication to a truce deal with Cambodia, stating that trade talks could be paused as efforts are made to prevent a Donald Trump-brokered peace agreement from collapsing.

Border Tensions Escalate

Earlier this week, Thai officials announced it was putting on hold the ceasefire deal, accusing Cambodia of laying fresh landmines along the shared border, among them an incident that allegedly wounded a Thai military personnel on patrol, who lost a foot in the blast.

Since then, a fatality occurred and several others wounded by exchanges of fire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, raising concerns of a new round of retaliatory clashes.

American Economic Leverage

On Saturday, a representative from Thailand's foreign office 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.

He quoted the letter as saying that trade negotiations – which are addressing a US tariff of 19% – could resume once the Thai government reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the joint ceasefire declaration.

“Trade talks are ongoing and distinct from frontier matters,” said another government spokesperson.

President’s Economic Warning

Speaking to the press on Air Force One as he flew to Florida on Friday, Trump implied that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in calls with the ASEAN nation heads.

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

The President witnessed the finalization of a ceasefire agreement, conducted in Malaysian territory this last autumn, and has touted it as one of multiple agreements around the world he says 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 hundreds of thousands forced to flee.

Historic Frontier Conflict

The two neighboring countries have a historic territorial disagreement that originates from conflicts regarding colonial-era maps drawn up by the French. Ancient temples along the frontier are claimed by both sides.

Reuters provided input for this coverage.