Thailand announced on Saturday that the United States has suspended negotiations on finalising a new reciprocal trade framework until Bangkok reaffirms its commitment to a U.S.-brokered ceasefire with Cambodia, amid escalating border tensions between the two Southeast Asian neighbours.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura said Bangkok received a letter from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) on Friday night informing Thailand that talks would be paused.
The letter stated that negotiations could resume once Thailand recommitted to implementing the joint ceasefire declaration with Cambodia.
The development comes after Thailand suspended the ceasefire earlier this week, accusing Cambodia of violating the agreement by allegedly laying new landmines that injured Thai soldiers, an allegation Phnom Penh strongly denies.
Nikorndej said the Thai government had earlier informed Washington that the ceasefire could not be carried out under current conditions, citing Cambodia’s supposed breaches.
He added that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul explained Thailand’s position directly to U.S. President Donald Trump during a phone call on Friday night, during which Trump “expressed understanding.”
The suspended talks are part of a new trade framework announced last month, under which the United States would maintain a 19% tariff on Thai goods while identifying products eligible for tariff adjustments or reductions to zero.
Both sides still need to negotiate detailed provisions before the agreement can be signed and take effect.
Following his call with Trump, Prime Minister Anutin wrote on Facebook that he requested a reduction in the 19% tariff.
According to Anutin, Trump replied that the rate was already low but indicated he would consider adjustments if Thailand completed the removal of landmines along its border with Cambodia swiftly.
Trump also spoke separately with Cambodian leaders on Friday, saying afterward that he believed both sides were “going to be fine.”
Neither the USTR nor the White House publicly mentioned the reported suspension of trade talks, despite updates on other trade negotiations appearing on their official websites.
The renewed tensions mark the latest flare-up along the Thailand–Cambodia frontier, a long-contested area that has seen recurring border clashes and lingering landmine hazards dating back decades.
Source: Reuters
Written By Rodney Mbua
