Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura said Thailand received notification on Friday night from the Deputy US Trade Representative that the US side was seeking a temporary suspension of talks for a reciprocal trade framework agreement, reports the Bangkok Post.
Thailand was told that negotiations could resume once it commits to complying with the agreement it signed last month in Kuala Lumpur in the presence of President Donald Trump, said Mr Nikorndej.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirkul announced earlier that Thailand was suspending participation in the agreement after an incident last Monday in which a landmine blast injured four Thai soldiers in Sa Kaeo province.
Speaking at a briefing on Saturday, Mr Nikorndej said Thailand was disappointed by the US decision.
“Thailand has consistently affirmed that security and safety issues, especially the bilateral issue between Thailand and Cambodia, must be considered separate from trade issues, which are a bilateral matter of mutual benefit between Thailand and the US,” he said.
The news emerged after President Donald Trump held phone calls late Friday with the Thai and Cambodian prime ministers, expressing concern about recent developments in their border dispute.
Trump struck an upbeat note when he addressed reporters onboard Air Force One as he flew to Florida.
“I stopped a war just today through the use of tariffs, the threat of tariffs”, Trump said after being asked whether he was referring to Thailand and Cambodia.
“I spoke to the prime ministers of both countries and they’re doing great. I think they’re going to be fine,” he said.
In his conversation with Mr Trump, Prime Minister Anutin stressed that Thailand remains committed to peace, but the Cambodian side must accept the facts and take responsibility for the latest landmine incident, including taking measures to prevent similar events in the future, Mr Nikorndej said.
“Therefore, moving forward largely depends on Cambodia’s stance,” he said.
Anutin followed up by calling Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, in his capacity as the ASEAN chairman, telling him that landmine clearance is the “core of the agreement” in the Joint Declaration signed with Cambodia.
Mr Anwar subsequently posted on X that Cambodia and Thailand were ready to “continue choosing the space for dialogue and diplomatic efforts as an effective path to resolution”.
PM aware of risk
Anutin said earlier last week that he was aware that President Trump might seek to impose stronger tariff measures following the country’s suspension of the US-backed peace agreement with Cambodia.
In that case, he said in a speech at the National Defence College, Thailand would seek alternative trading partners.
In a post on the Bhumjaithai Party website, Anutin said the US president asked him if there were any problems with the trade negotiations between Thailand and the US.
“I told him that I would like him to lower the tariff rate for Thailand further. He cheerfully replied that the 19% rate that Thailand receives is very low,” he wrote.
“I told him that if it were really low, I would not have asked him in South Korea for a further reduction, because Thailand has cooperated well with the US in every aspect.”
He said Mr Trump then told him that he would consider a lower tariff rate “if you do the demining work quickly”.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said in a Facebook post on Saturday that Phnom Penh would continue to implement the agreement and hoped both sides would continue to work together in accordance with the agreed principles and mechanisms.