The US President Pressures Thailand to Recommit to Cambodia Ceasefire with ‘Threat of Tariffs’
The United States has applied pressure on Thailand to reaffirm its dedication to a truce deal with the Cambodian side, indicating that trade talks could be suspended as efforts are made to prevent a Donald Trump-brokered ceasefire arrangement from falling apart.
Border Tensions Escalate
In recent days, Thailand announced it was putting on hold the truce agreement, alleging Cambodian forces of laying fresh landmines along the shared border, including one that allegedly wounded a Thai military personnel on patrol, who suffered a foot amputation in the explosion.
Following this, a fatality occurred and several others wounded by gunfire along the border between the two nations, 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 official communication from the U.S. trade office declaring the suspension of trade deal talks was obtained on the previous evening.
The spokesperson referenced the letter as stating that discussions on trade – which are addressing a US tariff of 19% – could resume once the Thai government reaffirmed its commitment to carrying out the mutual truce agreement.
“Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” said a different official representative.
President’s Economic Warning
Addressing reporters aboard the presidential plane as he traveled to the Sunshine State on the end of the week, Trump suggested 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’re doing great. I think they’re gonna be fine.”
Ceasefire Agreement Background
Trump oversaw the signing of a ceasefire agreement, held in Malaysia this October, and has promoted it as one of several deals around the world he claims should earn him the Nobel Peace prize.
The worst fighting in a decade between military forces of both nations erupted 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
The two neighboring countries have a historic territorial disagreement that dates back to conflicts regarding colonial-era maps drawn up by the French. Ancient temples along the frontier are claimed by both sides.
International news agency contributed to this report.
