The US President Compels Thailand to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodia Ceasefire with Trade Penalties

Washington has exerted influence on Thailand to reaffirm its dedication to a truce deal with Cambodia, stating that trade talks could be suspended as attempts are made to prevent a Trump-mediated peace agreement from falling apart.

Border Tensions Escalate

In recent days, Thai officials announced it was putting on hold the ceasefire deal, accusing Cambodian forces of laying fresh landmines along the shared border, among them an incident that allegedly injured a Thai soldier on duty, who lost a foot in the blast.

Since then, one person has been killed and several others wounded by gunfire along the border between the two nations, raising concerns of a new round of retaliatory clashes.

US Trade Pressure

On Saturday, a representative from Thailand's foreign office told journalists that a letter from the U.S. trade office announcing the suspension of trade deal talks was obtained on Friday night.

The spokesperson referenced the letter as stating 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.

“Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” stated another government spokesperson.

Trump’s Tariff Threat

Addressing reporters 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 ASEAN nation heads.

The US president said, “I stopped a war just today through the use of tariffs, the threat of tariffs,” continuing, “they’re doing great. I think they’re gonna be fine.”

Ceasefire Agreement Background

Trump oversaw the signing of a peace deal, held in Malaysia this October, and has touted it as one of multiple agreements around the world he says should earn him the prestigious peace award.

The worst fighting in a ten years between Thai and Cambodian troops broke out in July, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes leaving dozens of people killed and 300,000 displaced.

Longstanding Border Dispute

The two neighboring countries have a longstanding border dispute that originates from disagreements over maps from the colonial period drawn up by the French. Ancient temples along the border are claimed by both sides.

Reuters provided input for this coverage.