🔗 Share this article

Washington has exerted influence on Thailand to recommit to a truce deal with Cambodia, stating that trade talks could be paused as efforts are made to prevent a Trump-mediated ceasefire arrangement from collapsing.

Border Tensions Escalate

In recent days, Thai officials announced it was putting on hold the ceasefire deal, accusing Cambodian forces of planting new explosives along the shared border, including one that allegedly wounded a Thai military personnel on patrol, who lost a foot in the blast.

Since then, a fatality occurred 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 Thai foreign ministry spokesperson told journalists that a letter from the Office of the US Trade Representative announcing the pause in trade negotiations was obtained on Friday night.

The spokesperson referenced the document as stating that trade negotiations – which are addressing a 19 percent American duty – could restart once Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the joint ceasefire declaration.

“Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” said another government spokesperson.

Trump’s Tariff Threat

Addressing reporters on Air Force One as he flew to Florida on Friday, the US leader implied that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in discussions with the ASEAN nation heads.

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.”

Ceasefire Agreement Background

The President witnessed the finalization of a ceasefire agreement, conducted in Malaysian territory this last autumn, and has promoted it as one of several deals around the world he says should earn him the Nobel Peace prize.

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

Longstanding Border Dispute

Thailand and Cambodia have a historic territorial disagreement that dates back to conflicts regarding colonial-era maps created by French cartographers. Ancient temples along the frontier are claimed by both sides.

International news agency provided input for this coverage.