The US President Urges Thailand to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodia Truce with Trade Penalties
Washington has exerted influence on the Thai administration to recommit to a ceasefire agreement with the Cambodian side, stating that trade talks could be halted as attempts are made to stop a Trump-mediated ceasefire arrangement from falling apart.
Border Tensions Escalate
Earlier this week, Thai officials declared it was putting on hold the ceasefire deal, accusing Cambodia of planting new explosives along the mutual frontier, including one that reportedly wounded a Thai military personnel on patrol, who suffered a foot amputation in the blast.
Since then, a fatality occurred and several others wounded by exchanges of fire along the border between the two nations, sparking fears of a fresh wave of tit-for-tat fighting.
US Trade Pressure
Over the weekend, a representative from Thailand's foreign office informed reporters that a letter from the Office of the US Trade Representative declaring the suspension of trade deal talks was received on Friday night.
He quoted the letter as stating that trade negotiations – which are focusing on a 19 percent American duty – could resume once the Thai government renewed its pledge to implementing 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 flew to Florida 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 are performing well. I believe they will be okay.”
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 says should earn him the Nobel Peace prize.
The worst fighting in a decade between military forces of both nations broke out 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 longstanding border dispute that dates back to conflicts regarding maps from the colonial period created by French cartographers. Historic shrines along the frontier are claimed by both sides.
Reuters provided input for this coverage.
