Trump Intervenes in Cambodia-Thailand Conflict on 4th day, Threatens Trade Deals Amid Continued Border Clashes

A brutal border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand has escalated into its fourth day, claiming dozens of lives and displacing over 150,000 people. Amidst the intensifying hostilities, President Donald Trump has made a dramatic intervention, threatening to derail ongoing trade negotiations with both nations unless an immediate ceasefire is secured. However, despite diplomatic overtures, reports from the contested border indicate that heavy shelling and troop movements continue, casting a shadow over the prospects for an swift end to the violence.

On Saturday, with a reported death toll of at least 33, Trump revealed his direct engagement with both Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand’s acting Prime Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, in a fervent effort to broker peace and tentatively agreed to a ceasefire with Cambodia, signaling readiness for talks to end the deadliest conflict in over a decade.

Through a series of Truth Social posts, Trump detailed his conversations: “Just spoke to the Prime Minister of Cambodia relative to stopping the War with Thailand,” he began.

Soon after, he added, “I have just spoken to the Acting Prime Minister of Thailand, and it was a very good conversation.” His optimistic takeaway: “Thailand, like Cambodia, wants to have an immediate Ceasefire, and PEACE.”

Trump then positioned himself as the crucial go-between: “I am now going to relay that message back to the Prime Minister of Cambodia. After speaking to both Parties, Ceasefire, Peace, and Prosperity seems to be a natural. We will soon see!”

Reflecting on the deadly situation, Trump drew a comparison: “I am trying to simplify a complex situation! Many people are being killed in this War, but it very much reminds me of the Conflict between Pakistan and India, which was brought to a successful halt.” In a stark warning, he also indicated that the advancement of trade deals with both nations would be contingent on an immediate cessation of hostilities.

The foreign ministry also said in a statement on X, “Thailand agrees in principle to have a ceasefire in place”.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform that, a few moments ago, Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai had a conversation with President Trump who requested that Thailand and Cambodia agree to a ceasefire immediately. Acting Prime Minister thanked President Trump for…

— กระทรวงการต่างประเทศ | MFA of Thailand (@MFAThai) July 26, 2025

The killing of a Cambodian soldier in a brief late May clash reignited hostilities between the nations. The subsequent reinforcement of border troops fueled a full-scale diplomatic crisis, bringing Thailand’s already fragile coalition government to the verge of collapse.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, in his capacity as ASEAN chair, affirmed his commitment to advancing a ceasefire proposal. The initiative has received the full backing of Cambodia, while Thailand has indicated its agreement in principle.

UNSC Holds Emergency meeting as Cambodia-Thailand War Rages:

At Friday’s Security Council meeting, Thailand’s UN ambassador accused Cambodia of deploying newly planted landmines in Thai territory, causing injuries to soldiers on two occasions since mid-July. This claim, which Cambodia denies, was followed by allegations that Cambodia then initiated attacks on Thursday morning.

On Saturday, Cambodia formally accused Thailand of engaging in “a deliberate, unprovoked, and unlawful military attack.” In a further escalation of rhetoric, Cambodia stated that “military preparations reveal Thailand’s intent to expand its aggression and further violate Cambodia’s sovereignty.”.

Gregory Poling, a Southeast Asia expert from Washington’s Center for Strategic and International Studies, acknowledged that President Trump’s efforts could expedite ceasefire talks between Cambodia and Thailand. However, he cautioned that using trade deals as leverage might backfire. “Neither Cambodia nor Thailand — or their publics — will appreciate the threat to weaponise trade to make it happen,” Poling stated. He added that if a ceasefire is reached but no trade deal materializes by August 1, it could be seen as a “US betrayal.”.

The long-running border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, spanning decades along their 817-kilometer land border, centers on undemarcated points and ancient Hindu temples like Ta Moan Thom and the 11th-century Preah Vihear. While the International Court of Justice (ICJ) awarded Preah Vihear to Cambodia in 1962, tensions flared in 2008 after Cambodia sought to list it as a UNESCO World Heritage site, leading to skirmishes that caused at least a dozen deaths over several years.

Cambodia indicated in June that it had again approached the ICJ to resolve its disputes, but Thailand maintains it has never recognized the court’s jurisdiction and prefers a bilateral resolution.

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