🔗 Share this article Trump Compels the Thai government to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodian Ceasefire with ‘Threat of Tariffs’ Washington has exerted influence on the Thai administration to reaffirm its dedication to a truce deal with the Cambodian side, stating that trade talks could be halted as attempts are made to prevent a Trump-mediated peace agreement from falling apart. Border Tensions Escalate Earlier this week, Thailand declared it was suspending the truce agreement, alleging Cambodian forces of laying fresh landmines along the mutual frontier, among them an incident that reportedly wounded a Thai soldier on duty, who suffered a foot amputation in the explosion. Since then, a fatality occurred and several others wounded by exchanges of fire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, raising concerns of a fresh wave of tit-for-tat fighting. US Trade Pressure Over the weekend, a representative from Thailand's foreign office told journalists that a letter from the U.S. trade office announcing the suspension of trade deal talks was obtained on Friday night. He quoted the document as saying that discussions on trade – 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,” said a different official representative. Trump’s Tariff Threat Addressing reporters aboard the presidential plane as he traveled to the Sunshine State on Friday, the US leader suggested that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in discussions with the ASEAN nation heads. 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 ceasefire agreement, held in Malaysia this October, and has touted it as one of several deals around the world he says should earn him the prestigious peace award. The most severe clashes in a decade between military forces of both nations 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 colonial-era maps drawn up by the French. Ancient temples along the frontier are claimed by both sides. International news agency contributed to this report.