Trump Compels Thailand to Recommit to Cambodian Truce with ‘Threat of Tariffs’
Washington has exerted influence on Thailand to recommit to a ceasefire agreement with the Cambodian side, indicating 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, Thailand declared it was putting on hold the ceasefire deal, accusing Cambodian forces of planting new explosives along the shared border, including one that allegedly injured a Thai soldier on duty, who suffered a foot amputation in the explosion.
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.
American Economic Leverage
On Saturday, a representative from Thailand's foreign office told journalists that a letter from the U.S. trade office declaring the suspension of trade deal talks was obtained on the previous evening.
He quoted the document as stating that discussions on trade – which are focusing on a 19 percent American duty – 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 a different official representative.
Trump’s Tariff Threat
Addressing reporters on Air Force One as he flew to Florida on the end of the week, the US leader suggested that he had employed tariff warnings in discussions with the south-east Asian leaders.
The US president said, “I stopped a war just today through the use of tariffs, the threat of tariffs,” adding, “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 promoted it as one of several deals around the globe he says should earn him the Nobel Peace prize.
The worst fighting in a decade between Thai and Cambodian troops erupted in mid-summer, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes leaving dozens of people killed and 300,000 displaced.
Historic Frontier Conflict
The two neighboring countries have a longstanding border dispute that originates from disagreements over maps from the colonial period drawn up by the French. Historic shrines along the border are claimed by both sides.
Reuters contributed to this report.
