🔗 Share this article

Washington has exerted influence on Thailand to recommit to a ceasefire agreement with the Cambodian side, stating that trade talks could be suspended as efforts are made to prevent a Trump-mediated peace agreement from collapsing.

Rising Border Hostilities

Earlier this week, Thailand declared it was suspending the ceasefire deal, alleging Cambodian forces of planting new explosives along the mutual frontier, including one that reportedly wounded a Thai military personnel on patrol, who suffered a foot amputation in the explosion.

Following this, one person has been killed and several others wounded by gunfire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, sparking fears of a new round of tit-for-tat fighting.

American Economic Leverage

On Saturday, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson informed reporters that a letter from the Office of the US Trade Representative declaring the pause in trade negotiations was obtained on the previous evening.

He quoted the letter as stating that discussions on trade – which are focusing on a 19 percent American duty – could restart once the Thai government reaffirmed its commitment to carrying out the joint ceasefire declaration.

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

President’s Economic Warning

Speaking to the press on Air Force One as he flew to Florida on Friday, the US leader suggested that he had employed tariff warnings in discussions with the south-east Asian leaders.

He stated, “Today, I prevented a conflict using tariffs, the menace of duties,” adding, “they are performing well. I believe they will be okay.”

Truce Deal Origins

Trump oversaw the signing of a peace deal, held in Malaysia this last autumn, and has promoted 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 broke out in July, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes leaving dozens of people killed and 300,000 displaced.

Historic Frontier Conflict

The two neighboring countries have a longstanding border dispute that originates from conflicts regarding maps from the colonial period created by French cartographers. Historic shrines along the border are claimed by both sides.

Reuters contributed to this report.