PHNOM PENH – U.S. President Donald Trump on July 26 said he urged both Cambodia and Thailand to end their hostilities and choose peace, warning that he would not pursue any trade deals if the conflict continued.
In a statement posted on his Truth Social account, Trump said he had spoken with both Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai.
“I am now going to relay that message back to the Prime Minister of Cambodia,” Trump said. “After speaking to both parties, ceasefire, peace, and prosperity seem to be natural. We will soon see!”
In his earlier post, Trump said that he had urged both leaders to agree to an immediate ceasefire and end hostilities.
He also made it clear that the U.S. will not enter into any trade deals with either country if the conflict persists.
“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,” he said.
On July 7, Trump imposed a 36 percent tariff on Cambodian goods, down from the initially planned 49 percent that was set to take effect on August 1.
Cambodia has since sought negotiations to ease the tariffs. The same rate was also applied to Thai products, prompting Bangkok to seek a similar reduction.
On July 23, Thailand announced it was nearing a trade agreement with Washington to lower the tariff rates.
Trump’s statement comes as armed clashes between Cambodia and Thailand entered their third day. According to official figures, the fighting has resulted in the deaths of five soldiers and injuries to 21 others. In Oddar Meanchey province, eight civilians were killed and 50 were wounded following a Thai military attack.
The conflict has also triggered a wave of evacuations. In Oddar Meanchey, 6,577 families—totaling 23,328 people—have been displaced. In neighboring Preah Vihear province, 3,112 families (23,328 people) have also been evacuated. Thai military strikes have since expanded into Pursat province, displacing 94 families (201 people), while 524 families (1,880 people) in Banteay Meanchey province have also fled.
In total, 35,829 civilians have so far been forced to flee their homes due to the ongoing conflict.
