Trump: “Thailand and Cambodia Agree to Immediate Ceasefire” — Mediation Through Tariff Leverage

Trump Shares Details of Calls with Both Leaders on Social Media
“No Trade Talks with Warring Nations,” He Warns
CNN: “Proxy Clash Between U.S. and China”

U.S. President Donald Trump has invoked the threat of steep tariffs to pressure Thailand and Cambodia—currently engaged in an armed clash along their shared border—into halting hostilities. Both nations swiftly signaled openness to a ceasefire following Trump's intervention, but sporadic armed conflict continues along portions of the border, sustaining tensions in the region.

Trump Warns Leaders of Both Nations

On the 26th (local time), President Trump announced via his social media platform Truth Social that he had spoken with the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia to mediate a ceasefire. “I conveyed that the United States is not interested in pursuing trade talks with countries that are at war,” he stated. Previously, Trump had notified both countries that, starting next month, the U.S. would impose reciprocal tariffs of 36%—measures currently under negotiation for reduction.

Roughly 30 minutes after his initial post, Trump followed up with another message, saying, “Both sides agreed to meet immediately to enable a ceasefire and ultimately peace.” He added, “They want to return to the trade table with the U.S., but I do not believe that is appropriate until the fighting ends.” Trump also noted, “Many lives have already been lost in this war,” while referencing his previous claim of having successfully mediated a ceasefire between India and Pakistan through tariff leverage in April.

According to AP and other outlets, both Thailand and Cambodia responded positively to the ceasefire proposal. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet expressed gratitude to Trump via Facebook on the 26th, stating that Cambodia had accepted the proposal for an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire.” The Thai government, which had previously insisted that negotiations were only possible if Cambodia halted hostilities first, issued a statement saying it wanted to “see the sincerity of Cambodia’s intent” and was willing to “convene bilateral talks as soon as possible to establish steps and procedures for peaceful resolution.”

However, foreign media reported that localized armed clashes continued in parts of the border region on the 27th. Thai military deputy spokesperson Richa Sukowanond stated that “Cambodian forces fired artillery into Surin Province on Sunday morning, targeting civilian homes.” Cambodian Ministry of Defense spokesperson Mealy Socheata countered, claiming that “Thai forces shelled Cambodian territory on Sunday morning and deployed tanks and ground troops in several areas.”

Clashes Escalate as Naval Forces Deploy to Border

Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia—neighboring countries with a shared border—have been building since the death of a Cambodian soldier in a skirmish near Nam Yuan, Ubon Ratchathani Province in late May. Concerns over escalation have intensified in recent days, especially after a three-day period of armed conflict beginning on the 24th that involved fighter jets. According to Thai military and health authorities, at least 13 civilians and 6 soldiers have died, and approximately 160,000 people have fled the conflict zones. Acting Prime Minister Wechayachai hinted at the potential for a full-scale war, saying, “For now, clashes are limited to engagements involving heavy weaponry.”

The current flare-up began on the 23rd, when a landmine exploded in a disputed border area, injuring five Thai soldiers. The Thai military claims evidence shows Cambodia recently planted the mines. In response, Thailand expelled the Cambodian ambassador and recalled its own ambassador from Phnom Penh. Cambodian spokesperson Mealy Socheata denied the allegation, saying, “We have repeatedly reminded the Thai side that numerous landmines from past wars still remain in the area.”

Each side blames the other for the escalation. The Thai military claims Cambodian forces deployed reconnaissance drones and armed troops who opened fire. Cambodia counters that Thai forces erected barbed wire around a disputed temple and launched a preemptive strike.

UNESCO World Heritage Site at Center of Dispute

The roots of the dispute stretch back to the early 1900s. In 1904, France—then the colonial ruler of Cambodia—signed a border treaty with Thailand (then the Kingdom of Siam), assigning the 10th-century Temple of Preah Vihear, located near the eastern Thai and northern Cambodian border, to Thai territory. However, a border map drawn by the French in 1907 mistakenly placed the temple in Cambodia due to a surveying error. Thailand approved the map at the time without noticing the error but discovered it decades later.

Despite discovering the mistake, Thailand raised no objection until 1954, after France withdrew its forces from Cambodia. At that point, Cambodian troops occupied the temple and demanded Thai withdrawal. When Thailand refused, Cambodia filed a case with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 1959. In 1962, the ICJ ruled in Cambodia’s favor, citing Thailand’s earlier approval of the map and its decades-long silence on the matter.

Thailand’s discontent simmered until 2008, when Cambodia applied to list the Temple of Preah Vihear as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Outraged Thai protesters crossed into the area, were detained by Cambodian forces for trespassing, and prompted Thai military intervention. This resulted in minor armed clashes.

Subsequent fallout over the temple also drew other heritage sites into the dispute, including Ta Muen Thom Temple. In 2011, the dispute escalated into full-scale combat: 10 people died in February, and around 20 in April, displacing tens of thousands of residents. Cambodia again brought the matter to the ICJ, which reaffirmed Cambodian sovereignty over the area in a 2013 ruling. After that, the dispute quieted for over a decade until new skirmishes erupted near the temple this past May. Although Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodian Prime Minister Manet reached an agreement to resolve the dispute shortly afterward, tensions have intensified due to disagreements over troop withdrawals from the conflict zone.

CNN analyzed the latest clashes as a “proxy conflict between the U.S. and China,” pointing to the geopolitical alignments of the two nations. Thailand, a U.S. treaty ally since 1954, is also designated a “Major Non-NATO Ally” and co-hosts the annual Cobra Gold multinational military exercises with the U.S. The Thai military boasts about 360,000 active personnel—three times more than Cambodia—and operates high-performance Gripen fighters from Sweden and American-made F-16s, making it one of Southeast Asia’s top air forces.

In contrast, Cambodia maintains close military ties with China, including hosting a Chinese-backed naval base and conducting annual “Golden Dragon” joint exercises. Its ground forces rely largely on outdated Soviet and Chinese equipment.