Trump Compels the Thai government to Recommit to Cambodia Truce with ‘Threat of Tariffs’
The United States has applied pressure on the Thai administration to recommit to a truce deal with the Cambodian side, stating that trade talks could be paused as efforts are made to prevent a Trump-mediated ceasefire arrangement from collapsing.
Rising Border Hostilities
Earlier this week, Thai officials announced it was putting on hold the truce agreement, accusing Cambodian forces of planting new explosives along the mutual frontier, among them an incident that reportedly injured a Thai soldier on duty, who lost a foot in the explosion.
Since then, a fatality occurred and multiple individuals injured by exchanges of fire 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 told journalists that a official communication from the U.S. trade office declaring the pause in trade negotiations was received on Friday night.
He quoted the letter as stating that discussions on trade – which are focusing on a 19 percent American duty – could restart once Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the mutual truce agreement.
“Trade talks are ongoing and distinct from frontier matters,” stated another government spokesperson.
Trump’s Tariff Threat
Addressing reporters on Air Force One as he flew to Florida on the end of the week, Trump implied that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in discussions with the ASEAN nation heads.
The US president said, “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.”
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 claims should earn him the prestigious peace award.
The most severe clashes in a ten years between Thai and Cambodian troops broke out in July, with exchanges of fire, shelling and aerial attacks leaving dozens of people killed and hundreds of thousands forced to flee.
Historic Frontier Conflict
Thailand and Cambodia have a historic territorial disagreement that originates from conflicts regarding maps from the colonial period drawn up by the French. Historic shrines along the border are disputed by each nation.
Reuters contributed to this report.
