US President Donald Trump has threatened the governments of Thailand and Cambodia with new tariffs on their products if the fighting between the two countries does not stop.
The American leader said this in an interview with The Wall Street Journal published on Saturday.
“I just used tariffs 10 minutes ago to resolve a new escalation between Thailand and Cambodia“, the American leader said. “I said: “If you fight, I will not only cancel our trade deal, but I will also impose tariffs on your countries“, Trump explained. “Nobody can do this but me“, he assured. According to the publication, the interview was recorded on Friday. Trump was apparently referring to the phone calls he had earlier that day with the prime ministers of Thailand and Cambodia, Anuthin Chanwirakhun and Khun Mane.
The US president expressed confidence that the possibility of imposing tariffs is an important tool in his administration's foreign policy. Trump stressed that it would be "terrible" for the US side if the US Supreme Court overturned some of the tariffs he had imposed. However, the American leader assured that even in this case he would find a legal basis for further duties. The US Supreme Court is still considering this issue.
On Friday, Trump announced that he had spoken by phone with the prime ministers of Thailand and Cambodia. The White House assured that the leaders of the two countries had agreed to end hostilities within 24 hours and return to implementing the peace agreements. Since then, however, there have been reports that hostilities are continuing.
In October, the prime ministers of Cambodia and Thailand, in the presence of the US president, signed a joint declaration on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit, outlining further steps to peacefully resolve the border conflict. The parties stressed their commitment to “facilitate the de-escalation of tensions, restore trust and mutually beneficial relations“.
Armed clashes along the Cambodian-Thai border resumed on 7 December. The Royal Thai Army reported that Cambodian forces had begun shelling Thai positions in the border area early in the morning. The Thai air force responded by attacking Cambodian military infrastructure. There were reports of casualties.