(Washington/Bangkok/Phnom Penh, 16th) Amid escalating tensions at the Thailand-Cambodia border, U.S. President Trump spoke with leaders of both countries and claimed that he used the threat of tariffs to prevent a war between the two nations. However, the Thai Prime Minister insisted that Cambodia must apologize first.
According to CNN, on Friday (November 14), Trump revealed in a media interview aboard Air Force One that he had spoken that day with the prime ministers of Thailand and Cambodia. He said: “Just today, I used tariffs, with the threat of tariffs, to prevent a war.”
He added: “They’re fine, and I believe they’ll be okay.”
Thai government spokesperson Siripong stated on Saturday (15th) that the U.S. had notified Thailand on Friday night that if it did not adhere to the peace agreement signed with Cambodia, tariff negotiations would be suspended. However, after Trump spoke with Thai Prime Minister Anutin, the situation changed.
Siripong stated: “Tariff negotiations will continue and will be separated from the border issues.”
He further revealed that Trump told Anutin that the U.S. “does not wish to intervene in Thailand-Cambodia issues under the current bilateral mechanism.”
Despite the U.S. tariff threat, Anutin's attitude appears unchanged. After calls with Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar, he posted on social media on Saturday, stating that unless Cambodia admits to violating the agreement and apologizes for the recent landmine incident, Thailand will not resume implementation of the peace agreement.
At the end of last month, the prime ministers of Thailand and Cambodia signed a peace agreement in Kuala Lumpur, witnessed by Trump and Anwar, to set out concrete plans to end months of border conflict.
Anutin wrote on social media that Thailand has the right to take all necessary actions to protect its national sovereignty and ensure Thai people and property are safe from foreign threats.
He also asked Trump and Anwar to relay to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet that Cambodia must adhere to the peace agreement and not interfere with demining operations.
On Saturday, Hun Manet also posted on Facebook, expressing that Cambodia would continue to implement the peace agreement and hoped that both Cambodia and Thailand could cooperate according to the established principles and mechanisms.
On Monday (10th), Thai soldiers were injured by landmines on the Thailand-Cambodia border in Sisaket province. The Thai government immediately announced the indefinite postponement of the release of 18 Cambodian prisoners of war and suspended the implementation of the peace agreement with Cambodia. Two days later, Thailand and Cambodia accused each other of opening fire at the border, resulting in Cambodian civilian casualties.
According to CNN, on Friday (November 14), Trump revealed in a media interview aboard Air Force One that he had spoken that day with the prime ministers of Thailand and Cambodia. He said: “Just today, I used tariffs, with the threat of tariffs, to prevent a war.”
He added: “They’re fine, and I believe they’ll be okay.”
Siripong stated: “Tariff negotiations will continue and will be separated from the border issues.”
He further revealed that Trump told Anutin that the U.S. “does not wish to intervene in Thailand-Cambodia issues under the current bilateral mechanism.”
Despite the U.S. tariff threat, Anutin's attitude appears unchanged. After calls with Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar, he posted on social media on Saturday, stating that unless Cambodia admits to violating the agreement and apologizes for the recent landmine incident, Thailand will not resume implementation of the peace agreement.
At the end of last month, the prime ministers of Thailand and Cambodia signed a peace agreement in Kuala Lumpur, witnessed by Trump and Anwar, to set out concrete plans to end months of border conflict.
Anutin wrote on social media that Thailand has the right to take all necessary actions to protect its national sovereignty and ensure Thai people and property are safe from foreign threats.
He also asked Trump and Anwar to relay to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet that Cambodia must adhere to the peace agreement and not interfere with demining operations.
On Saturday, Hun Manet also posted on Facebook, expressing that Cambodia would continue to implement the peace agreement and hoped that both Cambodia and Thailand could cooperate according to the established principles and mechanisms.
On Monday (10th), Thai soldiers were injured by landmines on the Thailand-Cambodia border in Sisaket province. The Thai government immediately announced the indefinite postponement of the release of 18 Cambodian prisoners of war and suspended the implementation of the peace agreement with Cambodia. Two days later, Thailand and Cambodia accused each other of opening fire at the border, resulting in Cambodian civilian casualties.