President Trump says U.S. diplomatic pressure and trade leverage helped preserve a ceasefire, preventing further conflict between Cambodia and Thailand.
President Donald Trump says he has successfully eased tensions between Cambodia and Thailand, claiming his diplomatic actions helped prevent a potential war between the neighboring countries.
“I stopped a war just today,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as he traveled to his Mar-a-Lago estate. He emphasized that his ability to impose trade tariffs worldwide gave the U.S. “great leverage” to influence diplomatic outcomes.
Trump said he spoke directly with the prime ministers of both Cambodia and Thailand, noting that “they’re doing great. They were not doing great.” He expressed optimism that the ceasefire would hold, adding, “I think they’re going to be fine.”
The dispute stems from a longstanding territorial conflict. In late July, clashes over border claims killed dozens of soldiers and civilians. Trump reportedly threatened to withhold trade privileges unless both countries paused hostilities, helping to broker a temporary ceasefire. This agreement was reaffirmed last month during an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Malaysia.
Tensions flared again this week when Cambodian officials reported that Thai troops fired on villagers in Prey Chan, Banteay Meanchey province, killing one civilian and wounding three others. Thailand claimed Cambodian soldiers fired first in the Sa Kaeo district. While no Thai casualties were reported, the incident underscores the fragile nature of the peace agreement.
The Cambodia-Thailand border dispute has deep historical roots. Dating back centuries, the two countries’ territorial claims were influenced by a 1907 map drawn during French colonial rule in Cambodia — a map Thailand has long contested. Despite the ceasefire, the agreement does not resolve the underlying boundary conflict, leaving the potential for future confrontations.
Trump’s intervention highlights the role of political diplomacy in conflict prevention, combining international pressure and negotiation to maintain regional stability.
As tensions linger, readers are encouraged to follow updates on this evolving situation, share their perspectives.