Trump Compels Thailand to Recommit to Cambodian Ceasefire with ‘Threat of Tariffs’
Washington has exerted influence on the Thai administration to recommit to a ceasefire agreement with Cambodia, stating that trade negotiations could be halted as attempts are made to prevent a Trump-mediated peace agreement from collapsing.
Border Tensions Escalate
In recent days, Thailand declared it was putting on hold the ceasefire deal, alleging Cambodian forces of laying fresh landmines along the shared border, among them an incident that reportedly injured a Thai military personnel on patrol, who lost a foot in the explosion.
Since then, a fatality occurred and multiple individuals injured by gunfire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, sparking fears of a new round of retaliatory clashes.
American Economic Leverage
On Saturday, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson told journalists that a letter from the Office of the US Trade Representative declaring the suspension of trade deal talks was received on the previous evening.
The spokesperson referenced the document as stating that discussions on trade – which are focusing on a US tariff of 19% – could resume 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.
President’s Economic Warning
Addressing reporters on Air Force One as he flew to Florida on the end of the week, the US leader implied that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in calls 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,” adding, “they’re doing great. I think they’re gonna be fine.”
Truce Deal Origins
The President witnessed the finalization of a peace deal, held in Malaysia this October, and has touted it as one of multiple agreements around the world he claims should win him the prestigious peace award.
The most severe clashes in a decade between Thai and Cambodian troops broke out 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 created by French cartographers. Historic shrines along the border are disputed by each nation.
International news agency provided input for this coverage.