🔗 Share this article The US President Urges the Thai government to Recommit to Cambodian Truce with ‘Threat of Tariffs’ Washington has exerted influence on the Thai administration to reaffirm its dedication to a ceasefire agreement with Cambodia, warning that trade talks could be paused as attempts are made to prevent a Donald Trump-brokered peace agreement from collapsing. Rising Border Hostilities Earlier this week, Thailand declared it was suspending the ceasefire deal, alleging Cambodia of laying fresh landmines along the mutual frontier, including one that allegedly injured a Thai military personnel on patrol, who suffered a foot amputation in the explosion. Since then, a fatality occurred and multiple individuals injured by exchanges of fire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, sparking fears of a new round of retaliatory clashes. American Economic Leverage Over the weekend, a representative from Thailand's foreign office told journalists that a letter from the Office of the US Trade Representative announcing the pause in trade negotiations was obtained on Friday night. The spokesperson referenced the letter as saying that discussions on trade – which are focusing on a US tariff of 19% – could restart once Thailand renewed its pledge to implementing the mutual truce agreement. “Trade talks are ongoing and distinct from frontier matters,” stated a different official representative. Trump’s Tariff Threat Addressing reporters on Air Force One as he flew to Florida on the end of the week, Trump implied that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in calls with the south-east Asian leaders. He stated, “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 peace deal, conducted in Malaysian territory this last autumn, and has promoted it as one of several deals around the world he claims should win him the prestigious peace award. The worst fighting in a ten years between military forces of both nations broke out in mid-summer, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes causing numerous fatalities and hundreds of thousands forced to flee. Longstanding Border Dispute Thailand and Cambodia have a longstanding border dispute that originates from conflicts regarding colonial-era maps created by French cartographers. Historic shrines along the border are claimed by both sides. International news agency provided input for this coverage.