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.

Thailand and Cambodia on Friday welcomed a 19 percent trade tariff announced by US President Donald Trump, avoiding a threatened levy of 36 percent days after he intervened to help broker a ceasefire in their deadly border conflict.

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.