Trump Compels Thailand to Recommit to Cambodia Truce with ‘Threat of Tariffs’
Washington has exerted influence on Thailand to reaffirm its dedication to a ceasefire agreement with Cambodia, stating that trade negotiations could be suspended as attempts are made to prevent a Donald Trump-brokered peace agreement from falling apart.
Rising Border Hostilities
Earlier this week, Thailand announced it was putting on hold the ceasefire deal, alleging Cambodia of laying fresh landmines along the shared border, among them an incident that allegedly injured a Thai military personnel on duty, who lost a foot in the explosion.
Since then, one person has been killed and multiple individuals injured by gunfire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, raising concerns of a new round of tit-for-tat fighting.
US Trade Pressure
Over the weekend, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson told journalists that a official communication from the U.S. trade office declaring the pause in trade negotiations was obtained on the previous evening.
The spokesperson referenced the document as saying that trade negotiations – which are addressing a 19 percent American duty – 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 traveled to the Sunshine State on the end of the week, the US leader implied that he had employed tariff warnings 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,” adding, “they are performing well. I believe they will be okay.”
Truce Deal Origins
Trump oversaw the signing of a ceasefire agreement, held in Malaysia this October, and has touted it as one of several deals around the globe he says should win him the Nobel Peace prize.
The most severe clashes in a decade between Thai and Cambodian troops erupted in mid-summer, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes leaving dozens of people killed 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 drawn up by the French. Ancient temples along the border are disputed by each nation.
Reuters provided input for this coverage.