Trump Compels Thailand to Recommit to Cambodia Ceasefire with ‘Threat of Tariffs’
Washington has exerted influence on Thailand to recommit to a ceasefire agreement with the Cambodian side, indicating that trade negotiations could be halted as efforts are made to stop a Trump-mediated ceasefire arrangement from falling apart.
Border Tensions Escalate
Earlier this week, Thailand declared it was suspending the ceasefire deal, accusing Cambodia of planting new explosives along the mutual frontier, among them an incident that allegedly wounded a Thai military personnel on duty, who suffered a foot amputation 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 Thai foreign ministry spokesperson told journalists that a official communication from the Office of the US Trade Representative announcing the pause in trade negotiations was obtained on the previous evening.
He quoted the letter as stating that trade negotiations – which are focusing on a 19 percent American duty – could restart once the Thai government renewed its pledge to implementing the mutual truce agreement.
“Trade talks are ongoing and distinct from frontier matters,” said another government spokesperson.
President’s Economic Warning
Addressing reporters on Air Force One as he traveled to the Sunshine State on Friday, the US leader implied that he had employed tariff warnings in calls with the ASEAN nation heads.
He stated, “I stopped a war just today through the use of tariffs, the threat of tariffs,” adding, “they’re doing great. I think they’re gonna be fine.”
Ceasefire Agreement Background
Trump oversaw the signing of a ceasefire agreement, conducted in Malaysian territory this last autumn, and has promoted it as one of multiple agreements around the world he claims should win him the Nobel Peace prize.
The worst fighting in a ten years between military forces of both nations broke out 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 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 contributed to this report.