US Suspends Thailand Tariff Negotiations Until Bangkok Fully Implements Peace Deal With Cambodia
The United States has halted ongoing tariff negotiations with Thailand, citing concerns that Bangkok has not fully complied with the peace agreement aimed at ending border clashes with Cambodia, according to Reuters on November 15, 2025. The move marks Washington’s strongest economic pressure yet amid renewed tensions along the Cambodia–Thailand frontier.
Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the development on Saturday, with ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura announcing the suspension during a briefing on the latest border situation. He revealed that the notification arrived late Friday night from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR).
According to Nikorndej, the USTR letter made clear that trade negotiations will remain on hold until Thailand reaffirms and fully implements its commitments outlined in the joint ceasefire declaration with Cambodia—a US-brokered agreement intended to prevent further armed incidents along the shared border.
The suspension came shortly after a phone call between Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and US President Donald Trump, during which the American leader stressed the importance of maintaining stability in the region and ensuring that the ceasefire remains intact.
Washington Links Trade Talks Directly to Regional Stability
The USTR’s decision underscores Washington’s growing concerns over reports of sporadic clashes and heated exchanges between Cambodian and Thai units near disputed areas. The United States, which played a central role in facilitating the original ceasefire framework, has repeatedly urged both sides to honor their commitments.
In the letter, USTR officials emphasized that negotiations would only resume once Thailand provides assurances that it will fully carry out the terms of the peace agreement. For US officials, progress on the diplomatic front appears essential before further deepening economic cooperation.
The move is a rare instance of Washington tying trade negotiations directly to a regional security issue—underscoring the seriousness with which the US views the border situation.
Thai Prime Minister’s Defiant Remarks Draw Attention
The suspension follows recent comments made by Prime Minister Anutin, who had publicly dismissed concerns over possible new US tariffs. In remarks earlier this week, Anutin declared that Thailand “would not care” how high the tariffs might go and insisted that his government would act solely “for the benefit of Thailand.”
His statement quickly drew international attention, with analysts noting that the comments may have signaled to Washington a lack of urgency from Bangkok in resolving the tensions with Cambodia.
Thailand Claims Cambodia Violated Ceasefire Terms
Thai authorities have maintained that the US-led ceasefire agreement cannot be fully implemented because of what they describe as ongoing violations by Cambodian forces. Government officials in Bangkok say certain Cambodian activities near contested boundary lines amount to breaches of the agreement.
Phnom Penh, however, has rejected these accusations, insisting that Cambodia has adhered to the ceasefire framework and that Thai forces were the ones responsible for recent escalations.
The dispute has raised fears of a possible return to the kind of border clashes that marked earlier years, prompting renewed international pressure for both sides to maintain communication channels and avoid military confrontation.
Next Steps: Diplomatic Pressure Expected to Intensify
The US suspension of tariff talks is expected to increase pressure on Thailand at a sensitive diplomatic moment. Analysts say Washington’s move may force Bangkok to reassess its approach, given that the US remains one of Thailand’s largest export markets and a key trade partner.
For now, Thai officials say they continue to engage with both Cambodia and the United States to resolve the remaining disputes. However, with trade negotiations now officially paused, it remains unclear how quickly Thailand will meet US expectations—or whether Cambodia and Thailand can reach a stable and lasting understanding along their contested border.
As tensions simmer, both governments face mounting pressure to avoid actions that could trigger further conflict, while Washington signals it is prepared to use diplomatic and economic tools to keep the peace efforts on track.
