Several international media outlets reported that US President Trump had recently issued a strong warning over the continuing military conflict between Cambodia and Thailand: if the fighting did not stop, the United States would take trade penalties against both countries, including additional tariffs.
According to the reports, Trump said in a US media interview the previous Friday that he had clearly warned the relevant parties that continued conflict would mean not only suspending existing trade arrangements but also imposing new tariffs on goods from both countries. He said the aim was to force an end to the fighting and described this as a method he could use that others could not easily achieve.
The White House subsequently said Trump wanted the parties concerned to honour their ceasefire commitments, adding that the United States would take further steps if necessary to stop the bloodshed and promote lasting peace.
Trump had earlier said publicly that he had spoken separately the previous Friday with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin, and that both leaders had expressed an intention to stop the conflict. At the same time, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar urged Cambodia and Thailand to accept a ceasefire arrangement intended to take effect at 10 p.m. that evening.
Cambodia welcomed the mediation and supported efforts towards a ceasefire. According to the report, Anutin’s side had not responded positively to returning to a ceasefire mechanism; the fighting had not subsided as of the report, and the regional situation continued to attract international attention.
Compiled by this station
