 "Trump urges Thailand to recommit to ceasefire with Cambodia, threatens to halt trade talks")
US President Donald Trump put pressure on Thailand to recommit to the ceasefire deal with Cambodia as tensions between the two nations escalate. Trump warned that trade talks with Thailand could be halted as Washington seeks to prevent the Trump-brokered truce agreement from falling apart.
The warning came just days after Thailand said that it was suspending the ceasefire deal, accusing Cambodia of laying fresh landmines along the border. The Thai authorities went on to claim that these landmines wounded a Thai soldier on patrol, who lost a foot in the explosion. Since then, one person has been killed and several others injured as a gunfight went along the Thai-Cambodia frontier.
On Saturday, Thai foreign ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura told journalists that they had received a letter from the Office of the US Trade Representative announcing the suspension of trade deal talks on Friday night. He quoted the letter as saying trade negotiations dealing with 19 per cent US tariffs on Thai goods could only resume once Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to carrying out the joint ceasefire declaration.
Thailand remains hopeful
Meanwhile, another government spokesperson, Siripong Angkasakulkiat, told reporters later on Saturday that the temporary suspension occurred before a call between Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Trump late on Friday. “Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” Siripong clarified.
While speaking to the reporters on Air Force One as he flew to Florida on Friday, Trump suggested that he had used “threat of tariffs” in calls with the Southeast Asian leaders. “I stopped a war just today through the use of tariffs, the threat of tariffs,” Trump said, adding, “they’re doing great. I think they’re gonna be fine.
After the call between the two leaders, Thai foreign ministry spokesperson Nikorndej said Prime Minister Anutin explained the matter to Trump on their call, “who expressed understanding regarding the issue”. It is pertinent to note that it was Trump who oversaw the signing of a ceasefire agreement, held in Malaysia this October.
Quick Reads
View AllThe Thailand-Cambodia conflict is one of the issues Trump has been touting to resolve in his bid to win a Nobel Peace Prize next year. The worst fighting in a decade between Thai and Cambodian troops erupted in July, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes leaving dozens of people killed and 300,000 displaced. Both nations have had a longstanding border dispute, which dates back to disagreements over colonial-era maps drawn up by the French. Not only this, but ancient temples along the border are claimed by both sides.
With inputs from Reuters.
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