President Trump told reporters on Air Force One, "Just today I stopped a war," a claim he used to describe the Cambodia–Thailand border dispute. He has previously said tariffs gave him leverage to secure a ceasefire, but that truce has since broken down. Critics blame his trade policies for worsening inflation and say fact-checkers have challenged the idea that tariffs alone can end conflicts. Trump said he spoke with both prime ministers and expressed confidence the situation will be resolved.
Trump Says "Just Today I Stopped a War" — Claims Credit for Cambodia–Thailand Truce That Later Fractured
President Trump told reporters on Air Force One, "Just today I stopped a war," a claim he used to describe the Cambodia–Thailand border dispute. He has previously said tariffs gave him leverage to secure a ceasefire, but that truce has since broken down. Critics blame his trade policies for worsening inflation and say fact-checkers have challenged the idea that tariffs alone can end conflicts. Trump said he spoke with both prime ministers and expressed confidence the situation will be resolved.
07:11 PM, 11/15/2025Politics
Trump: "Just today I stopped a war" — a disputed claim
President Donald Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that "Just today I stopped a war," repeating a claim he has made in recent weeks that tariffs can be used to halt international conflicts. He appeared to be referring to the recent border clashes between Cambodia and Thailand — a ceasefire he had previously taken credit for helping to arrange.
What happened
Trump made the remark Friday night while en route to Mar-a-Lago. The exchange was recorded and the White House posted video of the encounter. In the back-and-forth with reporters, Trump said he had "stopped the war by the use of tariffs," and argued that the threat of tariffs provides leverage the United States can use to influence other nations.
"We use, just today, I stopped a war. I won’t go into which one, but you’ll be able to figure it out... I stopped the war just today by the use of tariffs. The threat of tariffs." — President Donald Trump
Context and pushback
Trump has faced heavy criticism over his trade policies, which critics say contributed materially to recent inflation and harmed his political standing. Fact-checkers and analysts have repeatedly questioned his broader claims that tariffs alone have "stopped wars," noting the complexity of diplomatic negotiations and local dynamics that influence conflicts.
Although the president credited himself with helping secure a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand last month, that truce collapsed this week and its durability is uncertain despite Mr. Trump’s assurances. He told reporters he had spoken with the prime ministers of both countries and expressed confidence the situation would be resolved.
Why it matters
The exchange illustrates how the president frames trade tools as instruments of foreign policy, and how those claims are scrutinized when facts on the ground change. Observers say the episode highlights the limits of unilateral tariff threats and underscores the need for corroborated diplomatic reporting.
Watch: The White House posted video of the Air Force One exchange.