Trump Urges the Thai government to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodia Ceasefire with Tariff Warnings

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

Rising Border Hostilities

Earlier this week, Thailand announced it was putting on hold the ceasefire deal, alleging Cambodian forces of laying fresh landmines along the shared border, among them an incident that allegedly injured a Thai military personnel on duty, who lost a foot in the explosion.

Following this, a fatality occurred and several others wounded by gunfire 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 Thai foreign ministry spokesperson told journalists that a official communication 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 stating that discussions on trade – which are addressing a US tariff of 19% – could resume once the Thai government renewed its pledge to carrying out the joint ceasefire declaration.

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

Trump’s Tariff Threat

Addressing reporters aboard the presidential plane as he flew to Florida on Friday, the US leader suggested that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in discussions 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 peace deal, conducted in Malaysian territory this October, and has touted it as one of several deals around the world he claims should win him the Nobel Peace prize.

The worst fighting in a ten years between Thai and Cambodian troops broke out in July, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes causing numerous fatalities and hundreds of thousands forced to flee.

Longstanding Border Dispute

The two neighboring countries have a longstanding border dispute that dates back to disagreements over colonial-era maps drawn up by the French. Historic shrines along the border are claimed by both sides.

Reuters provided input for this coverage.