The US President Compels the Thai government to Recommit to Cambodian 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 negotiations could be halted as attempts are made to prevent a Donald Trump-brokered peace agreement from falling apart.
Border Tensions Escalate
In recent days, Thailand announced it was suspending the truce agreement, alleging Cambodia of laying fresh landmines along the shared border, among them an incident that allegedly injured a Thai military personnel on duty, who suffered a foot amputation in the blast.
Following this, a fatality occurred and several others wounded by exchanges of fire along the border between the two nations, 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 announcing the pause in trade negotiations was obtained on Friday night.
The spokesperson referenced the document as stating that trade negotiations – which are addressing a 19 percent American duty – could restart once the Thai government renewed its pledge to carrying out the joint ceasefire declaration.
“Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” said another government spokesperson.
Trump’s Tariff Threat
Addressing reporters aboard the presidential plane as he flew to Florida on the end of the week, Trump suggested that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in calls with the south-east Asian leaders.
He stated, “Today, I prevented a conflict using tariffs, the menace of duties,” adding, “they’re doing great. I think they’re gonna be fine.”
Truce Deal Origins
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 claims should earn him the Nobel Peace prize.
The most severe clashes in a ten years between military forces of both nations erupted in mid-summer, with exchanges of fire, shelling and aerial attacks causing numerous fatalities and hundreds of thousands forced to flee.
Longstanding Border Dispute
The two neighboring countries have a longstanding border dispute that originates from conflicts regarding maps from the colonial period drawn up by the French. Ancient temples along the frontier are disputed by each nation.
Reuters contributed to this report.
