President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to withhold trade deals with governments of Thailand and Cambodia as the two plunge deeper into a deadly border conflict that has left at least 32 people dead and tens of thousands of civilians displaced. Trump made it clear on Saturday that future trade agreements with either country could be off the table if the violence continues.
In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump revealed that he had spoken directly with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. The goal of the calls, according to the president, was to urge an immediate ceasefire and the restoration of peace along the tense border.
“We happen to be, by coincidence, currently dealing on Trade with both Countries, but do not want to make any Deal, with either Country, if they are fighting — And I have told them so,” Trump wrote.
The fighting erupted earlier this week after five Thai soldiers were reportedly injured by a land mine explosion near the border. Since then, the violence has escalated into a full-scale exchange of artillery and ground skirmishes. According to the Associated Press, the death toll has risen