🔗 Share this article Trump Urges the Thai government to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodian Ceasefire with ‘Threat of Tariffs’ Washington has exerted influence on the Thai administration to recommit to a truce deal with Cambodia, indicating that trade negotiations could be suspended as attempts are made to stop a Trump-mediated ceasefire arrangement from collapsing. Rising Border Hostilities In recent days, Thai officials announced it was putting on hold the ceasefire deal, accusing Cambodian forces of laying fresh landmines along the shared border, including one that reportedly injured a Thai military personnel on duty, who suffered a foot amputation in the explosion. Following this, a fatality occurred and multiple individuals injured by exchanges of fire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, raising concerns of a new round of tit-for-tat fighting. US Trade Pressure Over the weekend, a representative from Thailand's foreign office told journalists that a official communication from the U.S. trade office declaring the suspension of trade deal talks was obtained on Friday night. The spokesperson referenced the letter as saying that trade negotiations – which are addressing a 19 percent American duty – could resume once the Thai government reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the mutual truce agreement. “Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” stated a different official representative. President’s Economic Warning Speaking to the press aboard the presidential plane as he traveled to the Sunshine State on Friday, Trump suggested that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in discussions 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 The President witnessed the finalization of a peace deal, held in Malaysia this October, and has touted it as one of multiple agreements around the globe he says should earn him the Nobel Peace prize. The worst fighting in a ten years between Thai and Cambodian troops erupted in July, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes leaving dozens of people killed 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 created by French cartographers. Ancient temples along the border are disputed by each nation. Reuters provided input for this coverage.