By Emeka Blast 
Trump Warns Cambodia and Thailand: End War or Face Trade Suspension
U.S. President Donald Trump escalated his diplomatic push to end the Thailand-Cambodia border conflict on Saturday, July 26, 2025, threatening to suspend ongoing trade negotiations with both nations unless they agree to an immediate ceasefire. In a fiery Truth Social post at 8:21 PM WAT, Trump warned, “Thailand and Cambodia must stop their War NOW, or we will put a hold on our Trade Deals with them. We want PEACE, not conflict, and the U.S. will not reward fighting with business!” The warning came hours after Trump announced he was working to broker a ceasefire, having spoken with Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand’s Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai.
The conflict, now in its third day, has killed at least 33 people and displaced over 168,000, centered around disputed border areas near the Preah Vihear temple and coastal regions along the Gulf of Thailand. The violence, sparked by a landmine explosion that wounded five Thai soldiers on Thursday, has seen artillery exchanges, rocket attacks, and allegations of cluster munitions use, condemned by Human Rights Watch. Trump’s threat leverages significant U.S. trade influence, with Thailand exporting $58 billion and Cambodia $9 billion to the U.S. annually, including key sectors like electronics and garments. A $1.2 billion U.S.-Thailand trade framework and a $500 million Cambodia deal, both under negotiation, are now at risk.
Trump’s ultimatum aligns with his earlier pledge to pause trade talks until peace is restored, emphasizing that the U.S. will not “make any Deal” with nations at war. The White House confirmed Trump’s calls with both leaders were “productive,” with Cambodia endorsing a Malaysian-led ASEAN ceasefire proposal and Thailand expressing willingness to negotiate. However, fighting continued Saturday, with Thai airstrikes reported near Koh Kong and Cambodian forces evacuating villages. ASEAN’s emergency meeting, led by Malaysia’s Anwar Ibrahim, is set for Sunday, with Trump’s envoy, John Ratcliffe, expected to attend.
Social media reactions on X amplified the stakes, with @MarioNawfal quoting Trump’s threat and @BuzzPatriot praising his “tough love diplomacy.” Critics, like @Conscious_Factz, questioned the feasibility, noting, “Thailand and Cambodia’s economies rely on U.S. trade, but local politics may override.” Others, like @anmol_kaundilya, drew parallels to Trump’s role in the May 2025 India-Pakistan ceasefire after Operation Sindoor. The UN Security Council has urged de-escalation, but progress remains stalled as both nations accuse each other of violating prior agreements.
