Trump Compels the Thai government to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodia Ceasefire with ‘Threat of Tariffs’

The United States has applied pressure on Thailand to reaffirm its dedication to a truce deal with the Cambodian side, stating that trade talks could be halted as efforts are made to stop a Trump-mediated ceasefire arrangement from falling apart.

Rising Border Hostilities

Earlier this week, Thai officials announced it was suspending the truce agreement, alleging Cambodian forces of laying fresh landmines along the shared border, including one that reportedly injured a Thai military personnel on duty, who suffered a foot amputation in the blast.

Following this, one person has been killed and several others wounded by exchanges of fire along the border between the two nations, sparking fears of a new round 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 the previous evening.

He quoted the letter as saying that discussions on trade – which are addressing a 19 percent American duty – could restart once Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to carrying out the joint ceasefire declaration.

“Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” said a different official representative.

President’s Economic Warning

Addressing reporters aboard the presidential plane as he flew to Florida on Friday, the US leader suggested that he had employed tariff warnings 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 are performing well. I believe they will be okay.”

Truce Deal Origins

Trump oversaw the signing of a peace deal, held in Malaysia this October, and has touted it as one of several deals around the globe he says should win him the Nobel Peace prize.

The most severe clashes in a decade between military forces of both nations broke out in July, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes leaving dozens of people killed and hundreds of thousands forced to flee.

Longstanding Border Dispute

Thailand and Cambodia have a longstanding border dispute that originates from conflicts regarding colonial-era maps drawn up by the French. Historic shrines along the frontier are claimed by both sides.

International news agency contributed to this report.