The US President Urges Thailand to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodia Ceasefire with ‘Threat of Tariffs’

Washington has exerted influence on Thailand to recommit to a ceasefire agreement with the Cambodian side, indicating that trade talks could be halted as attempts are made to prevent a Trump-mediated ceasefire arrangement from falling apart.

Border Tensions Escalate

In recent days, Thai officials declared it was suspending the ceasefire deal, accusing Cambodian forces of laying fresh landmines along the mutual frontier, including one that reportedly wounded a Thai military personnel on duty, who suffered a foot amputation in the blast.

Since then, a fatality occurred and several others wounded by gunfire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, raising concerns of a new round of tit-for-tat fighting.

American Economic Leverage

On Saturday, a representative from Thailand's foreign office informed reporters 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 focusing on a 19 percent American duty – could resume once the Thai government renewed its pledge to carrying out the mutual truce agreement.

“Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” stated a different official representative.

Trump’s Tariff Threat

Addressing reporters aboard the presidential plane as he traveled to the Sunshine State on Friday, the US leader suggested that he had employed tariff warnings in discussions 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 are performing well. I believe they will be okay.”

Ceasefire Agreement Background

The President witnessed the finalization of a peace deal, conducted in Malaysian territory this October, and has promoted it as one of several deals around the world he says 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 300,000 displaced.

Historic Frontier Conflict

The two neighboring countries have a longstanding border dispute that dates back to disagreements over colonial-era maps drawn up by the French. Historic shrines along the frontier are disputed by each nation.

International news agency provided input for this coverage.