BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thailand’s trade minister insisted that border clashes with Cambodia must not be used by the United States as leverage in ongoing trade negotiations.
Minister insists US trade talks continue as normal
Speaking at Government House on Tuesday, Trade Minister Suphajee Suthumpun told reporters that negotiations with the United States were proceeding “normally” despite the escalating fighting along the Cambodian border. She firmly rejected speculation that this year’s talks could collapse because of the renewed clashes.
“I did not say whether it will be on time or not,”
said Suphajee, referring to the timetable for the discussions.
No signal of change from Washington
Suphajee said the US Trade Representative (USTR) had given no indication that the situation had changed. Preparatory work for the talks, she added, was continuing without interruption. This, she argued, showed that the technical process of the negotiations remained intact.
Thailand rejects blame for border violence
The minister based her confidence on what she described as the diplomatic position of Thailand. She stressed that the country was not the originator of the violence, neither in the current confrontation with Cambodia nor in previous incidents. Referring to a landmine explosion that injured Thai soldiers, she addressed concerns that the episode could be used to pressure Bangkok, saying:
“I do not think that will be the case.”
said Suphajee, trade minister.
Foreign ministry and UN briefings cited
Suphajee pointed to statements issued by the Foreign Ministry, including those sent to the United Nations (UN), as evidence that Thailand had clearly presented its case. According to her, the factual situation regarding the clashes was well established. She indicated that these diplomatic efforts were intended to clarify Thailand’s role and counter any narrative portraying it as an aggressor.
Sovereignty ranked above trade deal
Despite the economic importance of a trade agreement with the United States, the government placed national priorities elsewhere, she said. National sovereignty, the security of citizens and the morale of troops were ranked above commercial considerations.
“If we are not in the wrong, we should adhere to our principles as before,”
said Suphajee, adding that the overall course of the negotiations had not changed to date.
Warning shot against economic pressure
The minister’s remarks amounted to what was described as a political warning shot toward Washington. She signalled that Thailand would not abandon its principles under economic pressure. Her comments were intended to underline that trade policy should not be tied to the armed confrontation on the border.
Border conflict raises stakes for economy
In the background, a dangerous conflict continued to smoulder along the Thai-Cambodian frontier, raising the risk of strain in relations with the United States. A trade war or sanctions, she acknowledged, would be disastrous for Thailand’s export-dependent economy. Yet she appeared determined not to display that fear publicly.
Strategy: convince US of Thailand’s innocence
Instead, Suphajee presented a strategy built on strength and clarity. The aim was to persuade the United States of Thailand’s innocence in the border confrontation and to keep Washington out of the bilateral dispute. By separating the security crisis from economic talks, Bangkok hoped to protect both its strategic interests and trade prospects.
Test for US–Thai relations
Observers in Bangkok saw the minister’s sharp language as a test for US–Thai relations. Her comments raised the question of whether Washington would respect a boundary between geopolitics and trade policy. If the United States nevertheless applied pressure, she suggested, the Thai government would face an extremely difficult situation amid heightened nationalist sentiment at home.
Red line drawn for Washington
One point, Suphajee indicated, was beyond doubt: she had drawn a red line on how far economic leverage could go. It was now up to the US Trade Representative to respond. With billions at stake in the negotiations, both sides were entering what officials in Bangkok described as a high‑risk diplomatic poker game.