First came a push from the Malaysian premier, then China reached out, but it was only after U.S. President Donald Trump called Thailand's leader last week that Bangkok agreed to talks with Cambodia to end an escalating military conflict.

The US set a 19% levy on imports from Thailand and Cambodia, lower than the 36% they originally faced, after President Donald Trump threatened to block trade deals with them unless they ended a deadly border clash.

Senior officials from both countries said they were still waiting to hear final details on the deals after comments by the U.S. commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick.