The US President Urges the Thai government to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodian Truce with Trade Penalties
The United States has applied pressure on the Thai administration to recommit to a ceasefire agreement with the Cambodian side, stating that trade talks could be halted as efforts are made to prevent a Trump-mediated ceasefire arrangement from collapsing.
Rising Border Hostilities
Earlier this week, Thailand announced it was putting on hold the ceasefire deal, alleging Cambodia of planting new explosives along the mutual frontier, including one that allegedly wounded a Thai military personnel on patrol, who suffered a foot amputation in the blast.
Following this, a fatality occurred and multiple individuals injured by exchanges of fire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, sparking fears of a new round of retaliatory clashes.
American Economic Leverage
Over the weekend, a representative from Thailand's foreign office told journalists that a official communication from the U.S. trade office declaring the pause in trade negotiations was obtained on the previous evening.
He quoted the document as saying that trade negotiations – which are addressing a 19 percent American duty – could resume once the Thai government renewed its pledge to carrying out the mutual truce agreement.
“Trade talks are ongoing and distinct from frontier matters,” said another government spokesperson.
Trump’s Tariff Threat
Addressing reporters aboard the presidential plane as he flew to Florida on Friday, the US leader implied that he had used the “threat of tariffs” 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 are performing well. I believe they will be okay.”
Ceasefire Agreement Background
Trump oversaw the signing of a peace deal, conducted in Malaysian territory this October, and has touted it as one of multiple agreements around the world he says should win him the Nobel Peace prize.
The most severe clashes in a ten years between military forces of both nations erupted in mid-summer, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes causing numerous fatalities and 300,000 displaced.
Historic Frontier Conflict
The two neighboring countries have a longstanding border dispute that originates from disagreements over colonial-era maps drawn up by the French. Historic shrines along the border are disputed by each nation.
Reuters contributed to this report.