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Washington has exerted influence on Thailand to reaffirm its dedication to a ceasefire agreement with Cambodia, stating that trade negotiations could be halted as attempts are made to stop a Trump-mediated peace agreement from falling apart.

Border Tensions Escalate

In recent days, Thai officials declared it was suspending the ceasefire deal, accusing Cambodian forces of laying fresh landmines along the mutual frontier, among them an incident that allegedly wounded a Thai soldier on duty, who lost a foot in the blast.

Following this, a fatality occurred and several others wounded by exchanges of fire along the border between the two nations, sparking fears of a new round of retaliatory clashes.

US Trade Pressure

On Saturday, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson informed reporters that a official communication from the U.S. trade office declaring the pause in trade negotiations was obtained on Friday night.

He quoted the letter as stating that discussions on trade – which are focusing on a US tariff of 19% – could restart once Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to carrying out the mutual truce agreement.

“Trade talks are ongoing and distinct from frontier matters,” stated another government spokesperson.

President’s Economic Warning

Speaking to the press on Air Force One as he flew to Florida on Friday, Trump suggested that he had employed tariff warnings in discussions with the ASEAN nation heads.

The US president said, “I stopped a war just today through the use of tariffs, the threat of tariffs,” continuing, “they are performing well. I believe they will be okay.”

Truce Deal Origins

The President witnessed the finalization of a ceasefire agreement, held in Malaysia this last autumn, and has touted it as one of several deals around the globe he claims should win him the prestigious peace award.

The most severe clashes in a ten years between Thai and Cambodian troops erupted in mid-summer, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes leaving dozens of people killed and hundreds of thousands forced to flee.

Longstanding Border Dispute

Thailand and Cambodia have a historic territorial disagreement that originates from conflicts regarding maps from the colonial period drawn up by the French. Historic shrines along the border are claimed by both sides.

International news agency contributed to this report.