On Friday, Dec. 12, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that Thailand and Cambodia have reached a ceasefire agreement over the disputed area surrounding Preah Vihear Temple, ending several days of armed conflict. Trump said the ceasefire was achieved under U.S. mediation.
In his statement, Trump said that with the ceasefire in place, the tariffs the U.S. had been considering imposing on Thailand and Cambodia due to the escalating situation would be put on hold.
A diplomatic brief released by the White House later showed that Trump spoke by phone on Thursday night with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet to discuss the border conflict. According to sources familiar with the matter, Trump warned during the calls that if the two sides failed to halt hostilities within a set timeframe, the U.S. would consider launching a “Section 301 investigation” and imposing tariffs on certain Thai auto parts and Cambodian textiles.
Under the arrangement, Thailand and Cambodia agreed to immediately stop military operations in the disputed border area and to withdraw heavy weapons — including tanks and artillery — at least 10 kilometers from the frontline to create a temporary buffer zone.
Trump invites both parties to Washington
To facilitate further negotiations, both sides have accepted a U.S. invitation to travel to Mar-a-Lago in Florida next week for continued talks. The U.S. said the discussions will focus on a long-term ceasefire, border security, and future cooperation.
Success
You are now signed up for our newsletter
Success
Check your email to complete sign up
A Thai government spokesperson said Friday that Thailand welcomed using diplomacy to ease tensions and appreciated the U.S. coordination. Cambodia stated that Prime Minister Hun Manet supports resolving disputes through dialogue and looks forward to continued communication.
Earlier clashes along the Thai–Cambodian border had resulted in dozens of military and civilian casualties, displaced more than 50,000 border residents, and brought fighting dangerously close to key trade routes. With the ceasefire announcement, financial markets in both Thailand and Cambodia rebounded in early Friday trading, with the baht and the riel strengthening. Electronics manufacturing and export stocks, previously sold off over fears of trade sanctions, also recovered sharply.
