The US President Urges Thailand to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodian Ceasefire with Trade Penalties
The United States has applied pressure on the Thai administration to recommit to a truce deal with Cambodia, indicating that trade negotiations could be suspended as attempts are made to stop a Donald Trump-brokered ceasefire arrangement from falling apart.
Border Tensions Escalate
Earlier this week, Thailand declared it was putting on hold the ceasefire deal, accusing Cambodia of planting new explosives along the mutual frontier, including one that allegedly injured a Thai soldier on duty, who suffered a foot amputation in the explosion.
Since then, a fatality occurred and several others wounded by gunfire along the border between the two nations, sparking fears of a fresh wave of tit-for-tat fighting.
American Economic Leverage
Over the weekend, a representative from Thailand's foreign office told journalists that a letter from the Office of the US Trade Representative declaring the suspension of trade deal talks was obtained on Friday night.
He quoted the document as saying that trade negotiations – which are addressing a US tariff of 19% – could resume once the Thai government renewed its pledge to carrying out the joint ceasefire declaration.
“Trade talks are ongoing and distinct from frontier matters,” stated a different official representative.
Trump’s Tariff Threat
Speaking to the press aboard the presidential plane as he traveled to the Sunshine State on Friday, the US leader implied that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in discussions with the south-east Asian leaders.
The US president said, “Today, I prevented a conflict using tariffs, the menace of duties,” adding, “they are performing well. I believe they will be okay.”
Truce Deal Origins
Trump oversaw the signing of a peace deal, held in Malaysia this October, and has touted it as one of several deals around the globe he claims should win him the Nobel Peace prize.
The most severe clashes in a ten years between military forces of both nations erupted in July, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes causing numerous fatalities and 300,000 displaced.
Longstanding Border Dispute
The two neighboring countries have a historic territorial disagreement that dates back to conflicts regarding maps from the colonial period created by French cartographers. Ancient temples along the frontier are claimed by both sides.
International news agency contributed to this report.
