President Donald Trump on Saturday undertook yet another peacemaking mission, this time between Thailand and Cambodia.
As escalating fighting entered its third day, Trump intervened after initially remaining mum on the conflict. He reported that both countries want an immediate ceasefire and will meet immediately to work one out. As has become a typical part of his diplomatic strategy, he informed both that any trade talks were off the table as long as fighting continued.
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His overtures began with a call to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. In a Truth Social post, the president uncharacteristically admitted a gap in his knowledge, saying he wasn’t as familiar with the conflict.
“The call with Cambodia has ended, but expect to call back regarding War stoppage and Ceasefire based on what Thailand has to say. I am trying to simplify a complex situation! Many people are being killed in this War, but it very much reminds me of the Conflict between Pakistan and India, which was brought to a successful halt,” he said.
In the post, Trump called the conflict a “War,” contradicting the heads of state of both Thailand and Cambodia, who have carefully refrained from labeling the conflict as much. He said that he was already talking with the two “by coincidence,” but trade talks would be halted until peace was achieved.
“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 president remarked.
Trump then had a quick call with acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, which he described as a “very good conversation.”
“Thailand, like Cambodia, wants to have an immediate Ceasefire, and PEACE. I am now going to relay that message back to the Prime Minister of Cambodia. After speaking to both Parties, Ceasefire, Peace, and Prosperity seems to be a natural. We will soon see!” he said.
The call appears to have been brief — Trump’s Truth Social post about his call with Manet was posted at 11:28 a.m., and his post about the call with Wechayachai went out at 11:49 a.m.
At 12:23 p.m., Trump said he concluded a “very good call” with Manet, where he informed him of his conversation with Wechayachai. Trump said that both parties are “looking for an immediate Ceasefire and Peace.”
“They have agreed to immediately meet and quickly work out a Ceasefire and, ultimately, PEACE! It was an Honor to deal with both Countries. They have a long and storied History and Culture. They will hopefully get along for many years to come. When all is done, and Peace is at hand, I look forward to concluding our Trading Agreements with both!” Trump concluded.
Prior to Trump’s intervention, de-escalation seemed unlikely between Cambodia and Thailand. Manet claimed on Friday that Thailand had agreed to a ceasefire brokered by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, but reversed its position an hour later.
Bangkok has maintained that it was uninterested in mediation and would only negotiate bilaterally. The call and agreement with Trump technically doesn’t violate this principle, as the two sides agreed to immediately meet for negotiations, but without mention of a mediator.
The U.S. is a longtime ally of Thailand, which is considered one of its closest allies in the Indo-Pacific region. This alliance has helped equip Thailand with a significant amount of modern military hardware, while Cambodia still uses primarily Soviet-era equipment from China and the USSR.
Thailand is three times bigger than Cambodia in landmass and four times bigger in population. Thailand’s army is nearly five times larger, its Navy nearly six times larger in terms of craft, and its quality is incalculably superior. Thailand’s army is significantly mechanized, with over 400 battle tanks and 1,2000 armored personnel carriers, while Cambodia possesses just 200 decades-old tanks, Reuters reported. Thailand has 6.5 more artillery pieces than Cambodia.
Prior to Trump’s intervention, the U.S.’s only major comment on the growing conflict came from State Department Spokeswoman Tammy Bruce, who called for “the immediate cessation of attacks, protection of civilians, and peaceful settlement of disputes.”
Fighting began on Thursday, when Cambodian and Thai forces began exchanging fire near the ancient, disputed temple of Prasat Ta Muen Thom. Small arms fire quickly escalated into heavy artillery and missile fire, airstrikes, and the deployment of tanks and armored vehicles. The Royal Thai Army launched limited offensive operations against Cambodia, taking some Cambodian territory.
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Though failing to end the Russia-Ukraine War and the War in Gaza, Trump has racked up an impressive number of diplomatic victories in the first six months of his second term. He played a pivotal role in ending fighting between the nuclear-armed belligerents India and Pakistan; brokered a peace agreement to end the bloodiest conflict of the 21st century, that between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda; prevented a flare-up of hostilities between Serbia and Kosovo; and brokered a ceasefire to end the 12 Day War between Israel and Iran.
Trump hopes his efforts will finally win him his coveted Nobel Peace Prize, for which he has been nominated several times this year, including by the Pakistani government and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.