The US President Pressures Thailand to Recommit to Cambodian Ceasefire with ‘Threat of Tariffs’
Washington has exerted influence on Thailand to reaffirm its dedication to a truce deal with Cambodia, warning that trade talks could be suspended as efforts are made to stop a Donald Trump-brokered ceasefire arrangement from collapsing.
Border Tensions Escalate
In recent days, Thailand declared it was suspending the ceasefire deal, alleging Cambodian forces of planting new explosives along the mutual frontier, among them an incident that reportedly injured a Thai military personnel on duty, who suffered a foot amputation in the explosion.
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 Thai foreign ministry spokesperson told journalists that a official communication from the Office of the US Trade Representative declaring the pause in trade negotiations was obtained on Friday night.
The spokesperson referenced the letter as saying that discussions on trade – which are addressing a 19 percent American duty – could resume once Thailand renewed its pledge to carrying out the mutual truce agreement.
“Trade talks are ongoing and distinct from frontier matters,” stated a different official representative.
President’s Economic Warning
Addressing reporters aboard the presidential plane as he traveled to the Sunshine State on Friday, the US leader 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,” continuing, “they’re doing great. I think they’re gonna be fine.”
Truce Deal Origins
The President witnessed the finalization of a peace deal, conducted in Malaysian territory this last autumn, and has touted it as one of several deals around the globe he says should win him the prestigious peace award.
The worst fighting in a decade 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.
Longstanding Border Dispute
The two neighboring countries have a historic territorial disagreement that originates from disagreements over maps from the colonial period drawn up by the French. Historic shrines along the frontier are disputed by each nation.
Reuters provided input for this coverage.