Trump Pressures the Thai government to Recommit 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 negotiations could be halted as efforts are made to stop a Donald Trump-brokered ceasefire arrangement from falling apart.
Rising Border Hostilities
Earlier this week, Thai officials declared it was suspending the ceasefire deal, accusing Cambodia of planting new explosives along the shared border, including one that reportedly injured a Thai soldier on duty, who suffered a foot amputation in the explosion.
Following this, one person has been killed and multiple individuals injured by gunfire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, sparking fears of a new round 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 announcing the pause in trade negotiations was received on Friday night.
The spokesperson referenced the document as saying that discussions on trade – which are focusing on a US tariff of 19% – could restart once Thailand renewed its pledge to implementing the joint ceasefire declaration.
“Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” stated another government spokesperson.
Trump’s Tariff Threat
Addressing reporters aboard the presidential plane as he flew to Florida on Friday, the US leader suggested that he had employed tariff warnings in discussions with the south-east Asian leaders.
He stated, “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.”
Ceasefire Agreement Background
Trump oversaw the signing of a ceasefire agreement, conducted in Malaysian territory this October, and has promoted it as one of several deals around the globe he claims should earn him the Nobel Peace prize.
The most severe clashes in a decade between military forces of both nations broke out in July, with exchanges of fire, shelling and aerial attacks leaving dozens of people killed and 300,000 displaced.
Longstanding Border Dispute
The two neighboring countries have a longstanding border dispute that originates from disagreements over maps from the colonial period created by French cartographers. Historic shrines along the frontier are claimed by both sides.
Reuters contributed to this report.
