Trump Compels Thailand to Recommit to Cambodian Ceasefire with ‘Threat of Tariffs’

Washington has exerted influence on the Thai administration to reaffirm its dedication to a ceasefire agreement with the Cambodian side, indicating that trade negotiations could be suspended as efforts are made to prevent a Donald Trump-brokered peace agreement from collapsing.

Rising Border Hostilities

In recent days, Thailand declared it was putting on hold the ceasefire deal, accusing Cambodia of laying fresh landmines along the mutual frontier, including one that allegedly injured a Thai soldier on patrol, who lost a foot in the explosion.

Since then, a fatality occurred and multiple individuals injured by exchanges of fire along the border between the two nations, sparking fears of a new round of retaliatory clashes.

American Economic Leverage

On Saturday, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson informed reporters that a letter from the U.S. trade office announcing the pause in trade negotiations 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 Thailand renewed its pledge to implementing 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 on Air Force One as he flew to Florida on the end of the week, Trump implied that he had employed tariff warnings in calls with the ASEAN nation heads.

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, conducted in Malaysian territory this last autumn, and has touted it as one of several deals around the world he says should earn him the prestigious peace award.

The most severe clashes in a ten years between Thai and Cambodian troops erupted in mid-summer, with exchanges of fire, shelling and aerial attacks leaving dozens of people killed and 300,000 displaced.

Longstanding Border Dispute

The two neighboring countries have a historic territorial disagreement that dates back to disagreements over maps from the colonial period created by French cartographers. Historic shrines along the border are claimed by both sides.

Reuters contributed to this report.