A diplomatic breakthrough in the Thailand-Cambodia border conflict came only after a direct call from former U.S. President Donald Trump, according to senior officials familiar with the matter. Though Malaysia and China had pushed for talks, it was Trump’s intervention that spurred Thai leaders to enter negotiations, breaking the deadlock in Southeast Asia’s deadliest border flare-up in over a decade.

U.S. Pressure Breaks the Ice

The conflict began with rising military deployments and mutual accusations following deadly skirmishes and landmine injuries along a 200-km stretch of the disputed frontier. Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai had initially insisted on bilateral solutions and rejected third-party involvement.

“We told him that we want bilateral talks first before declaring a ceasefire,” a Thai official said about Trump’s call. Trump later announced both countries had agreed to talks and warned that the U.S. would suspend tariff negotiations until hostilities ceased.

Malaysia Hosts Breakthrough Ceasefire Talks

After agreeing to terms—including a neutral venue and head-of-government-level negotiations—Thailand and Cambodia met in Putrajaya, Malaysia. The meeting, hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, culminated in a joint statement announcing a ceasefire starting at midnight.

The fragile truce drew comparisons to the 2011 conflict between the two neighbors, though unlike that episode, this round involved direct influence from the U.S. and China. Cambodia maintained close communications with Beijing throughout, though Thai sources credited Washington’s pressure for securing the talks.

Trade Implications and Diplomatic Fallout

The renewed fighting had already triggered diplomatic expulsions. Thailand recalled its ambassador after alleging Cambodia planted landmines, an accusation Phnom Penh denied. Meanwhile, Trump threatened 36% tariffs on exports from both countries—who count the U.S. as their biggest trade partner—adding economic urgency to the talks.

Following the ceasefire, Trump confirmed that tariff talks had resumed. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said new trade agreements with both countries were finalized, though details have not been made public.