The US President Compels Thailand to Recommit to Cambodia Ceasefire with ‘Threat of Tariffs’

The United States has applied pressure on Thailand to recommit to a ceasefire agreement with the Cambodian side, indicating that trade talks could be suspended as efforts are made to prevent a Trump-mediated peace agreement from falling apart.

Border Tensions Escalate

In recent days, Thailand announced it was putting on hold the truce agreement, alleging Cambodia of laying fresh landmines along the mutual frontier, among them an incident that reportedly injured a Thai military personnel on patrol, who suffered a foot amputation in the blast.

Since then, one person has been killed and multiple individuals injured by exchanges of fire along the border between the two nations, raising concerns of a fresh wave 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 Friday night.

The spokesperson referenced the letter as stating that trade negotiations – which are addressing a 19 percent American duty – could resume once Thailand renewed its pledge to implementing the joint ceasefire declaration.

“Trade talks are ongoing and distinct from frontier matters,” said another government spokesperson.

Trump’s Tariff Threat

Addressing reporters on Air Force One as he flew to Florida on the end of the week, Trump implied that he had employed tariff warnings 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’re doing great. I think they’re gonna be fine.”

Truce Deal Origins

Trump oversaw the signing of a peace deal, conducted in Malaysian territory this last autumn, and has touted it as one of several deals around the globe he claims should earn him the Nobel Peace prize.

The worst fighting in a decade between Thai and Cambodian troops broke out in July, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes causing numerous fatalities and 300,000 displaced.

Historic Frontier Conflict

The two neighboring countries have a historic territorial disagreement that dates back to conflicts regarding maps from the colonial period drawn up by the French. Ancient temples along the frontier are disputed by each nation.

International news agency contributed to this report.