The US President Compels the Thai government 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 the Cambodian side, warning that trade negotiations could be halted as efforts are made to stop a Trump-mediated peace agreement from collapsing.
Border Tensions Escalate
In recent days, Thai officials declared it was suspending the truce agreement, accusing Cambodian forces of laying fresh landmines along the mutual frontier, including one that allegedly wounded a Thai soldier on patrol, who suffered a foot amputation in the blast.
Since then, one person has been killed and several others wounded by exchanges of fire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, raising concerns of a fresh wave of retaliatory clashes.
US Trade Pressure
On Saturday, a representative from Thailand's foreign office informed reporters that a letter from the Office of the US Trade Representative declaring the suspension of trade deal talks was obtained on the previous evening.
He quoted the letter as saying that trade negotiations – which are addressing a 19 percent American duty – could resume once Thailand renewed its pledge to implementing the joint ceasefire declaration.
“Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” stated a different official representative.
President’s Economic Warning
Addressing reporters on Air Force One as he flew to Florida on Friday, the US leader suggested that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in calls with the ASEAN nation heads.
He stated, “Today, I prevented a conflict using tariffs, the menace of duties,” continuing, “they are performing well. I believe they will be okay.”
Ceasefire Agreement Background
The President witnessed the finalization of a ceasefire agreement, held in Malaysia this October, and has promoted it as one of multiple agreements around the globe he says should win him the prestigious peace award.
The worst fighting in a ten years between Thai and Cambodian troops broke out in mid-summer, with exchanges of fire, shelling and aerial attacks leaving dozens of people killed and hundreds of thousands forced to flee.
Historic Frontier Conflict
The two neighboring countries have a longstanding border dispute that dates back to conflicts regarding colonial-era maps created by French cartographers. Ancient temples along the border are claimed by both sides.
International news agency contributed to this report.
