🔗 Share this article Trump Pressures Thailand to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodian Truce with Tariff Warnings Washington has exerted influence on Thailand to reaffirm its dedication to a truce deal with Cambodia, warning that trade talks could be paused as attempts are made to stop a Trump-mediated peace agreement from collapsing. Rising Border Hostilities In recent days, Thai officials announced it was suspending the truce agreement, accusing Cambodian forces of laying fresh landmines along the mutual frontier, among them an incident that reportedly wounded a Thai military personnel on patrol, who lost a foot in the explosion. Since then, a fatality occurred and multiple individuals injured by exchanges of fire along the border between the two nations, sparking fears of a fresh wave of tit-for-tat fighting. American Economic Leverage Over the weekend, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson informed reporters that a letter from the U.S. trade office announcing the pause in trade negotiations was obtained on Friday night. He quoted the letter as saying that trade negotiations – which are focusing on a US tariff of 19% – could restart once Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the joint ceasefire declaration. “Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” stated another government spokesperson. President’s Economic Warning Speaking to the press aboard the presidential plane as he traveled to the Sunshine State on the end of the week, Trump implied that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in calls with the south-east Asian leaders. The US president said, “I stopped a war just today through the use of tariffs, the threat of tariffs,” adding, “they’re doing great. I think they’re gonna be fine.” Ceasefire Agreement Background The President witnessed the finalization of a ceasefire agreement, held in Malaysia this October, and has touted it as one of multiple agreements around the globe he claims should win him the Nobel Peace prize. The most severe clashes in a decade between military forces of both nations erupted in July, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes causing numerous fatalities and hundreds of thousands forced to flee. Historic Frontier Conflict Thailand and Cambodia have a historic territorial disagreement that dates back to disagreements over maps from the colonial period drawn up by the French. Ancient temples along the border are claimed by both sides. Reuters contributed to this report.