🔗 Share this article The US President Compels the Thai government to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodian Truce with Tariff Warnings Washington has exerted influence on the Thai administration to recommit to a truce deal with Cambodia, stating that trade negotiations could be suspended as efforts are made to stop a Trump-mediated peace agreement from falling apart. Rising Border Hostilities In recent days, Thai officials announced it was putting on hold the truce agreement, alleging Cambodia of laying fresh landmines along the shared border, including one that allegedly injured a Thai military personnel on patrol, who lost a foot in the explosion. Following this, a fatality occurred and multiple individuals injured by gunfire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, sparking fears of a fresh wave of tit-for-tat fighting. US Trade Pressure On Saturday, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson informed reporters that a letter from the Office of the US Trade Representative declaring the pause in trade negotiations was obtained on the previous evening. He quoted the document as stating that trade negotiations – which are addressing a 19 percent American duty – could resume once Thailand renewed its pledge to implementing the joint ceasefire declaration. “Trade talks are ongoing and distinct from frontier matters,” stated another government spokesperson. Trump’s Tariff Threat Addressing reporters on Air Force One as he flew to Florida on Friday, the US leader implied that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in calls with the south-east Asian leaders. The US president said, “Today, I prevented a conflict using tariffs, the menace of duties,” continuing, “they are performing well. I believe they will be okay.” Ceasefire Agreement Background Trump oversaw the signing of a ceasefire agreement, conducted in Malaysian territory this October, and has touted it as one of several deals around the globe he says should win him the Nobel Peace prize. The most severe clashes in a ten years between Thai and Cambodian troops broke out in July, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes causing numerous fatalities and hundreds of thousands forced to flee. Longstanding Border Dispute The two neighboring countries have a historic territorial disagreement that dates back to disagreements over maps from the colonial period drawn up by the French. Historic shrines along the border are claimed by both sides. International news agency provided input for this coverage.