Trade Talks on Hold: Thailand and Cambodia Border Issues

The United States has paused talks with Thailand about a trade agreement. This decision comes after Thailand stopped following a peace agreement with Cambodia. Thailand says Cambodia broke the rules first, but Cambodia denies this. The U. S. sent a letter to Thailand about this. The letter said talks can start again once Thailand promises to follow the peace agreement. Both countries need to agree on the details of the trade deal before it can begin. Last month, the U. S. and Thailand started talking about a trade agreement. This agreement would keep a 19% tax on some Thai products but might lower taxes on other products. The U. S. president spoke with the leaders of both Thailand and Cambodia. He said he thought things would be okay, but he did not mention the paused trade talks. Thailand stopped the peace agreement this week. They want an apology from Cambodia for allegedly placing landmines that hurt Thai soldiers. Cambodia says this did not happen. The Thai prime minister talked to the U. S. president about this. The U. S. president understood Thailand's concerns. Thailand also asked the U. S. to lower the 19% tax on their products. The U. S. president said the tax is already low but would think about it if Thailand and Cambodia solve their border issues quickly.