The president suggests that the U.S. is ready to impose heavy tariffs on both countries if border clashes continue.

"The U.S. already flunked the test and that should be a wakeup call," a former senior U.S. State Department official told Newsweek.

Cambodia is calling for a ceasefire with Thailand following cross-border fighting over territorial claims related to temples, which has resulted in 15 deaths and dozens of injuries. Over 130,000 Thai residents from border areas have been evacuated.

Thailand closed northeastern border crossings with Cambodia and said Wednesday it was withdrawing its ambassador and expelling the Cambodian ambassador to protest a land mine blast in which a Thai soldier lost a leg.

Thailand closes some border crossings with Cambodia after soldier loses leg in landmine explosion Many border checkpoints had already been closed by one side or the other after relations deteriorated following an armed confrontation in which one Cambodian soldier was killed.

The U.S. now also has a trade framework for 19 percent duties on Philippine imports and 15 percent for Japanese goods entering the US market.