Trump Threatens Tariffs on Thailand, Cambodia as Thai Leader Rejects Ceasefire

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Dec. 15, 2025) — U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose new tariffs on Thailand and Cambodia if they fail to halt hostilities, he said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.

Trump’s remarks came after Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul rejected a ceasefire proposal during a phone call with Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

“I just used tariffs 10 minutes ago, just before you came, to settle the new inflammation that took place with Thailand and Cambodia,” Trump said. “And I told them, ‘If you have the war, not only am I going to break the trade deal we have, but I’m going to put tariffs on your country.’”

The Journal said the interview was recorded Friday, following Trump’s calls with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Anutin.

Trump said tariffs remain a key foreign policy tool and vowed to find legal grounds for further duties even if the U.S. Supreme Court rules against some measures already imposed.

Trump said both leaders agreed to cease hostilities within 24 hours, but fighting continued.

Hun Manet welcomed Anwar’s Dec. 13 ceasefire initiative, monitored by ASEAN observers and U.S. satellite support.

Anutin, however, insisted Thailand had no plan for a truce, citing the country’s first civilian death from a Cambodian rocket strike after eight days of clashes.

In October, Hun Manet and Anutin signed a joint declaration in Trump’s presence at the ASEAN Summit, pledging to de-escalate tensions and restore trust.