The US President Urges Thailand to Recommit to Cambodia Ceasefire with Trade Penalties
Washington has exerted influence on Thailand to recommit to a ceasefire agreement with the Cambodian side, stating that trade talks could be paused as efforts are made to stop a Donald Trump-brokered ceasefire arrangement from falling apart.
Rising Border Hostilities
Earlier this week, Thailand announced it was putting on hold the ceasefire deal, accusing Cambodia of planting new explosives along the mutual frontier, including one that allegedly wounded a Thai soldier on patrol, who suffered a foot amputation in the blast.
Following this, one person has been killed and several others wounded by gunfire along the border between the two nations, sparking fears of a new round of tit-for-tat fighting.
American Economic Leverage
Over the weekend, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson informed reporters that a letter from the U.S. trade office declaring the pause in trade negotiations was received on the previous evening.
He quoted the letter as saying that discussions on trade – which are addressing 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 another government spokesperson.
Trump’s Tariff Threat
Addressing reporters on Air Force One as he traveled to the Sunshine State on Friday, Trump implied that he had employed tariff warnings in discussions with the ASEAN nation heads.
The US president said, “Today, I prevented a conflict using tariffs, the menace of duties,” continuing, “they are performing well. I believe they will be okay.”
Truce Deal Origins
The President witnessed the finalization of a ceasefire agreement, held in Malaysia this last autumn, and has touted it as one of multiple agreements around the world he claims should win him the prestigious peace award.
The worst fighting in a decade between military forces of both nations erupted in mid-summer, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes causing numerous fatalities and hundreds of thousands forced to flee.
Longstanding Border Dispute
Thailand and Cambodia have a longstanding border dispute that originates from disagreements over colonial-era maps drawn up by the French. Ancient temples along the border are disputed by each nation.
International news agency provided input for this coverage.
