A deadly shooting at the Thai-Cambodian border cast doubt on a peace deal brokered by President Donald Trump as Thailand’s premier signals the political costs of looking weak on the border issue are higher than endangering trade with the U.S.

With a general election tentatively slated for March, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has been increasingly appealing to nationalistic sentiments at home while tensions with Cambodia continue to simmer under a fragile ceasefire that’s been in place since deadly clashes in July.

In a speech Wednesday before the shooting, Anutin said he would prioritize national interests and the safety of Thai people over U.S. trade talks, which Trump made conditional on the country accepting his Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords.

“What about the tariff negotiations? I don’t care. If we can’t sell to that country, we’ll find others,” Anutin said. “How can we put our lives in the hand of one country?”

The shooting — in which Cambodia said one of its civilians was killed — marked the most serious escalation since the ceasefire ended five days of deadly clashes. Trump had threatened to cancel trade talks with both Cambodia and Thailand unless they stopped fighting. The latest incident risks renewed conflict.

Anutin’s comments underscored a significant shift in Thailand’s stance on securing a trade deal with the U.S., its largest export market last year. A favorable trade deal had been seen as key to shoring up Thailand’s export-driven economy, which has lagged Southeast Asian peers over the past decade.

Earlier this week, a land-mine blast injured Thai soldiers near the border. After the explosion, Thailand unilaterally suspended terms under the Oct. 26 peace agreement that Anutin signed with his counterpart, Cambodian leader Hun Manet, during Trump’s week-long trip to Asia.

Anutin’s stance could create unintended diplomatic repercussions that may ultimately outweigh any immediate political gains at home, even if Trump appears to have shifted his attention away from the issue for now, said Napon Jatusripitak, director of the Center for Politics and Geopolitics at Bangkok-based Thailand Future think tank.

“Thailand gains nothing by adopting rhetoric that could trigger an unfavorable response once the issue is brought back to Trump’s attention,” Napon said. “Anutin would do well to recognize that economic priorities are inseparable from national security, and that any economic strain on the country will inevitably weaken his political standing as he faces an election, perhaps just as much as being seen as soft on Cambodia.”

Prime Minister Hun Manet said in addition to the deceased civilian, three other Cambodians were injured during Wednesday’s gunfire in Banteay Meanchey province. He said in a statement his country remains committed to resolving border issues peacefully under the accord, but strongly condemned “the unprovoked use of violence.”

Thailand, though, accused Cambodia of firing first. Nikorndej Balankura, a spokesman for the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Cambodia used “civilians as human shields.” As part of suspending the peace process, Thailand has said it would delay the release of 18 Cambodian soldiers.

The Thai-Cambodian conflict stems from long-running disputes over colonial-era border maps and treaties. While relations had stabilized after deadly clashes in 2011, tensions have resurfaced this year.

©2025 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.