Trump Pressures Thailand to Recommit to Cambodian Ceasefire with Tariff Warnings

Washington has exerted influence on Thailand to recommit to a truce deal with the Cambodian side, indicating that trade talks could be suspended as attempts are made to prevent a Donald Trump-brokered ceasefire arrangement from collapsing.

Rising Border Hostilities

In recent days, Thai officials announced it was putting on hold the ceasefire deal, accusing Cambodia of laying fresh landmines along the shared border, including one that allegedly injured a Thai soldier on duty, who lost a foot in the explosion.

Since then, a fatality occurred and multiple individuals injured by gunfire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, raising concerns of a fresh wave of retaliatory clashes.

US Trade Pressure

Over the weekend, a representative from Thailand's foreign office told journalists that a official communication from the Office of the US Trade Representative announcing the pause in trade negotiations was received on the previous evening.

He quoted the letter as saying that trade negotiations – which are focusing on a US tariff of 19% – could restart once the Thai government reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the mutual truce agreement.

“Trade talks are ongoing and distinct from frontier matters,” said another government spokesperson.

Trump’s Tariff Threat

Addressing reporters aboard the presidential plane as he traveled to the Sunshine State on the end of the week, the US leader 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,” adding, “they’re doing great. I think they’re gonna be fine.”

Truce Deal Origins

The President witnessed the finalization of a ceasefire agreement, held in Malaysia this October, and has promoted it as one of multiple agreements around the world he claims should earn him the prestigious peace award.

The worst fighting in a decade between Thai and Cambodian troops erupted in July, with exchanges of fire, shelling and aerial attacks leaving dozens of people killed and 300,000 displaced.

Historic Frontier Conflict

Thailand and Cambodia have a historic territorial disagreement that dates back to disagreements over maps from the colonial period created by French cartographers. Ancient temples along the border are claimed by both sides.

Reuters provided input for this coverage.