Trump Pressures Thailand to Recommit to Cambodia Truce with Trade Penalties
The United States has applied pressure on Thailand to recommit to a truce deal with Cambodia, stating that trade negotiations could be suspended as attempts are made to stop a Donald Trump-brokered peace agreement from falling apart.
Rising Border Hostilities
Earlier this week, Thai officials announced it was putting on hold the truce agreement, accusing Cambodian forces of laying fresh landmines along the mutual frontier, including one that allegedly injured a Thai military personnel on duty, who suffered a foot amputation in the explosion.
Following this, a fatality occurred and multiple individuals injured by gunfire along the border between the two nations, sparking fears of a new round of retaliatory clashes.
US Trade Pressure
On Saturday, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson informed reporters that a letter from the Office of the US Trade Representative declaring the suspension of trade deal talks was received on the previous evening.
He quoted the letter as stating that discussions on trade – which are focusing on a US tariff of 19% – could restart once the Thai government reaffirmed its commitment to carrying out the joint ceasefire declaration.
“Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” said a different official representative.
President’s Economic Warning
Speaking to the press aboard the presidential plane as he traveled to the Sunshine State on the end of the week, the US leader 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 are performing well. I believe they will be okay.”
Ceasefire Agreement Background
Trump oversaw the signing of a peace deal, conducted in Malaysian territory this October, and has promoted it as one of several deals around the globe he claims should win him the prestigious peace award.
The most severe clashes in a ten years between military forces of both nations erupted in July, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes causing numerous fatalities and 300,000 displaced.
Historic Frontier Conflict
Thailand and Cambodia have a historic territorial disagreement that dates back to disagreements over colonial-era maps created by French cartographers. Ancient temples along the frontier are claimed by both sides.
International news agency contributed to this report.
