Trump Claims Diplomatic Breakthrough Through Economic Leverage, Even as Reports Indicate Lingering Localized Fighting
Washington, DC [US]: US President Donald Trump is taking credit for a ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia, announcing on Tuesday that he has instructed his team to restart trade negotiations with the two Southeast Asian nations. Trump claims he leveraged economic pressure, warning both countries that no trade deals would proceed as long as their border conflict persisted.
Speaking from Scotland and later in a bilateral meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump highlighted his involvement. “Just spoke to the Acting Prime Minister of Thailand and the Prime Minister of Cambodia. I am pleased to announce that, after the involvement of President Donald J. Trump, both Countries have reached a CEASEFIRE and PEACE. Congratulations to all!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “By ending this War, we have saved thousands of lives.”
He further added, “I have instructed my Trade Team to restart negotiations on Trade. I have now ended many Wars in just six months — I am proud to be the President of PEACE!”
Trump reiterated his stance during his meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday, stating, “We solved that war, you probably saw it just, came out over the wire, so we solved it through trade. I said, ‘I don’t want to trade with anybody that’s killing each other,’ so we just got that one solved.” This echoes his earlier comments over the weekend, where he publicly stated his warning to the Thai and Cambodian leaders.
However, CNN reported that the ceasefire declaration between Cambodia and Thailand was actually announced by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Ibrahim reportedly mediated talks between Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai at his official residence near Kuala Lumpur.
Both Thailand and Cambodia have accused each other of initiating the latest border flare-up, and they have traded blame for the ongoing fighting. According to figures from Thai and Cambodian officials, the conflict has tragically killed at least 35 people and injured over 200. The dispute over their shared border stretches back decades, rooted in colonial-era demarcations.
Despite the ceasefire announcement, reports of localized fighting have persisted. Moun Nara, the head of an evacuation shelter on the Cambodian side, stated hours after the announcement, “I still hear the sound of the shooting… It’s not yet ended yet. Let’s wait and see until midnight.” This indicates that while a broader agreement may be in place, the situation on the ground remains volatile.
President Trump had initially announced on Saturday that the Southeast Asian nations had agreed to ceasefire talks, but even then, localized fighting continued throughout the weekend. He maintains his stance that his threat to withhold trade deals was the decisive factor in bringing the parties to the negotiating table.