U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that American diplomats are now in Malaysia to support ceasefire talks between Cambodia and Thailand, whose ongoing border conflict has already killed over 35 people. As violence continues near the disputed frontier—marked by artillery fire and accusations of temple bombings—diplomatic efforts involving both Washington and Beijing aim to de-escalate the crisis. President Trump warned that trade negotiations with either country will not proceed unless hostilities stop, raising hopes of international pressure to end the fighting.

Deadly Clashes Rage As Civilians Flee

The conflict, which erupted last Thursday, has surpassed the death toll of the 2008–2011 skirmishes. On Monday, shelling resumed near the border, prompting thousands to flee. Cambodian Defense Ministry spokeswoman Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata accused Thai forces of targeting ancient temples beginning at 3 a.m. that day. Thai officials did not comment, though Thailand's acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, stated before leaving for Kuala Lumpur that Cambodia had failed to demonstrate sincerity in previous talks.

Residents near the front line, such as Cambodian farmer Ly Nam, described non-stop explosions and said they were forced to hide in trenches. In Thailand’s Surin Province, local officials reported intense shelling, prompting evacuations and emergency sheltering in temples.

Despite the violence, border areas like Siem Reap—home to Angkor Wat—remained untouched, and local communities held religious ceremonies praying for peace.

U.S. And China Pressure Rivals Toward De-escalation

President Trump and Secretary Rubio have leveraged economic threats to influence the outcome of the conflict. Trump’s latest ultimatum includes a 36% tariff on goods imported from countries that fail to resolve their trade deals with the U.S. by August 1—targeting both Bangkok and Phnom Penh as a pressure tactic to halt the war.

Rubio, who previously met both countries’ foreign ministers during an ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, reiterated Washington’s intent to end the violence quickly. “We want this conflict to end as soon as possible,” he said in a late-Sunday statement.

China has also sent diplomats to the talks, according to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. With Beijing heavily invested in Cambodia—including funding a key naval base—and Thailand a long-standing U.S. ally, the negotiations in Malaysia have drawn in both global powers. Analysts suggest that ASEAN members are increasingly forced to navigate between Chinese patronage and U.S. military influence in their pursuit of stability.