Archive · 15 Nov 2025
Trump Claims Role in Halting Thailand-Cambodia Clashes
Thailand and Cambodia have a history of disagreements, especially over their border.
They had a fight in July, and President Trump helped them agree to stop fighting.
Recently, Thailand suspended the peace deal after alleging Cambodian gunfire, while Cambodia stated Thai troops fired on civilians.
President Trump spoke to the leaders of both countries by phone and said he stopped the fighting by using the threat of tariffs, which he believes gives him leverage.
He expressed optimism that they would be fine and that he had "stopped a war."
This is not the first time Trump has stepped in; he helped broker a truce in October.
President Trump stated he spoke with the prime ministers of Cambodia and Thailand to ease hostilities.
Trump claimed he stopped a war through the use of or threat of tariffs, leveraging US trade power.
Thailand suspended a truce deal after alleged Cambodian gunfire into Thailand; both sides reported new clashes.
Recent incidents include alleged Cambodian gunfire into Thailand and Thai gunfire into Cambodia, resulting in one Cambodian civilian death and three wounded.
A previous U.S.-brokered truce, reaffirmed by Trump in October, appeared to be breaking down before his recent intervention.
- Who
- U.S. President Donald Trump, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, and Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul
- What
- President Trump claims he mediated and eased hostilities between Cambodia and Thailand by speaking to their leaders and leveraging US trade power, following recent clashes and a suspended truce.
- When
- Friday, following recent clashes and a suspended truce this week.
- Where
- Aboard Air Force One, en route to Mar-a-Lago.
- Why
- To help resolve ongoing tensions and a suspended ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand, which had recently seen renewed fighting and allegations.
Thailand's Stance
Cambodia's Stance
Recent Clashes
Thailand's Stance
The Thai military said that the latest incident began when Cambodian soldiers allegedly fired into a district in Thailand's eastern province of Sa Kaeo. No Thai casualties were reported.
Cambodia's Stance
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said one civilian was killed and three others wounded when Thai troops opened fire on civilians residing in the area of Prey Chan in Cambodia’s northwestern province of Banteay Meanchey.
Landmine Allegations
Thailand's Stance
Thailand suspended a truce deal after an alleged landmine blast.
Cambodia's Stance
Cambodia denies allegations of laying fresh landmines.
- Mediation Efforts
- President Trump spoke with the prime ministers of Thailand and Cambodia by phone.
- Trump's Justification
- Claims he stopped a war through the use of, or threat of, tariffs.
- Background Conflict
- Territorial disputes led to armed conflict in late July, killing dozens of soldiers and civilians.
- Previous Truce
- Trump helped broker a temporary halt to the conflict and reaffirmed a pact at the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia on Oct 26.
- Recent Incidents
- Alleged Cambodian gunfire into Thailand and alleged Thai gunfire into Cambodia resulting in one Cambodian civilian death and three wounded.
- Historical Context
- Centuries of enmity and competing territorial claims stemming from a 1907 map drawn during French colonial rule.
Sources
Trump holds calls on Thailand-Cambodia conflict, White House says
Trump holds calls on Thailand-Cambodia conflict, White House says
Trump says Cambodia, Thailand going to be fine after calls over conflict
Trump claims to play peacemaker again after fresh Thailand-Cambodia clashes — 'Just stopped a war through tariffs'
