US halts trade talks with Thailand

»The United States has temporarily halted reciprocal trade negotiations with Thailand, pending Bangkok's commitment to uphold the Thailand-Cambodia peace declaration and move swiftly to solve the border dispute.

- PORAMET TANGSATHAPORN APINYA WIPATAYOTIN

Nikorndej Balankura, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), said Thailand was informed by the US deputy trade representative on Friday that Washington wished to suspend the current round of reciprocal trade agreement talks.

The negotiations would resume once Thailand provided assurances that it would honour the peace declaration, with the expectation the matter could be resolved promptly.

Mr Nikorndej said Thailand was "disappointed by the position taken by the US trade representative".

He reiterated that issues relating to security and safety — particularly bilateral matters between Thailand and Cambodia — must be kept separate from trade negotiations, which should be treated as a bilateral matter of mutual benefit to Thailand and the US.