U.S. President Donald Trump announced Saturday that Cambodia and Thailand have agreed to begin immediate ceasefire negotiations following three days of deadly cross-border fighting. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: "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." The U.S. president, currently on a visit to Scotland, said he spoke by phone with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand's acting prime minister in a bid to broker a truce. "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," he wrote in another post, adding, "After speaking to both Parties, Ceasefire, Peace, and Prosperity seems to be a natural. We will soon see!" Trump, who returned to the White House six months ago, linked his diplomatic push to ongoing U.S. trade negotiations with both countries. "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!" He added that trade talks would resume only once the fighting stops: "They are also looking to get back to the 'Trading Table' with the United States, which we think is inappropriate to do until such time as the fighting STOPS." The president compared the Cambodia–Thailand crisis to past tensions in South Asia, stating, "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." Trump's announcement follows a statement Friday by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who said both sides had agreed to a ceasefire proposal. Cambodia has officially supported the initiative, while Thailand has said it agrees in principle. — Agencies
