The United States has applied pressure on the Thai administration to recommit to a ceasefire agreement with the Cambodian side, stating that trade negotiations could be suspended as efforts are made to prevent a Trump-mediated peace agreement from falling apart.
Rising Border Hostilities
In recent days, Thailand announced it was suspending the truce agreement, alleging Cambodian forces of planting new explosives along the shared border, including one that reportedly wounded a Thai soldier on patrol, who suffered a foot amputation in the blast.
Since then, a fatality occurred and several others wounded by gunfire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, sparking fears of a fresh wave of tit-for-tat fighting.
American Economic Leverage
On Saturday, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson told journalists that a official communication from the U.S. trade office declaring the suspension of trade deal talks was obtained on the previous evening.
The spokesperson referenced the letter as saying that discussions on trade – which are addressing a 19 percent American duty – could restart once Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the joint ceasefire declaration.
“Trade talks are ongoing and distinct from frontier matters,” said a different official representative.
Trump’s Tariff Threat
Speaking to the press aboard the presidential plane as he flew to Florida on the end of the week, the US leader implied that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in discussions with the ASEAN nation heads.
He stated, “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
The President witnessed the finalization of a ceasefire agreement, held in Malaysia this October, and has touted it as one of several deals around the world he says should win him the Nobel Peace prize.
The worst fighting in a decade between Thai and Cambodian troops erupted in mid-summer, with exchanges of fire, shelling and aerial attacks causing numerous fatalities and hundreds of thousands forced to flee.
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.
International news agency contributed to this report.