U.S. President Donald J. Trump has announced that he is directly intervening in the escalating border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand, urging both nations to agree to an immediate ceasefire — and warning that continued fighting could jeopardize U.S. trade negotiations with both countries.
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Saturday night, President Trump said he had spoken with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and was preparing to call Thailand’s acting Prime Minister. His message emphasized the urgency of stopping the conflict, which has claimed multiple lives over the past three days.
“Just spoke to the Prime Minister of Cambodia relative to stopping the War with Thailand,” Trump wrote. “I am calling the Acting Prime Minister of Thailand, right now, to likewise request a Ceasefire, and END to the War, which is currently raging.”
President Trump also made clear that trade relationships are at stake.
“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!”
The U.S. is currently in separate bilateral trade negotiations with both Southeast Asian nations, as part of broader efforts to reassert American economic leadership in the Indo-Pacific region. Trump’s remarks suggest he is prepared to use that leverage to pressure both sides into ending hostilities.
The president added that he would follow up with Cambodia after speaking with Thailand, expressing hope that his involvement could help “simplify a complex situation.” He compared the crisis to the India-Pakistan conflict, which he previously claimed to have helped de-escalate.
“Many people are being killed in this War,” Trump wrote, “but it very much reminds me of the Conflict between Pakistan and India, which was brought to a successful halt.”
