The US President Urges Thailand to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodian Ceasefire with Tariff Warnings

The United States has applied pressure on Thailand to recommit to a truce deal with the Cambodian side, stating that trade negotiations could be paused as efforts are made to stop a Donald Trump-brokered peace agreement from falling apart.

Rising Border Hostilities

In recent days, Thailand announced it was putting on hold the truce agreement, alleging Cambodian forces of laying fresh landmines along the mutual frontier, including one that reportedly wounded a Thai military personnel on patrol, who lost a foot in the explosion.

Following this, one person has been killed and multiple individuals injured by exchanges of fire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, sparking fears of a fresh wave of retaliatory clashes.

US Trade Pressure

On Saturday, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson informed reporters that a official communication from the U.S. trade office declaring the pause in trade negotiations was obtained on the previous evening.

The spokesperson referenced the letter as saying that trade negotiations – which are focusing on a 19 percent American duty – could resume once Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to carrying out the mutual truce agreement.

“Trade talks are ongoing and distinct from frontier matters,” 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 implied that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in calls with the south-east Asian leaders.

The US president said, “Today, I prevented a conflict using tariffs, the menace of duties,” continuing, “they are performing well. I believe they will be okay.”

Ceasefire Agreement Background

Trump oversaw the signing of a ceasefire agreement, conducted in Malaysian territory this October, and has touted it as one of several deals around the world he says should win him the Nobel Peace prize.

The most severe clashes 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

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.

International news agency contributed to this report.