🔗 Share this article Trump Pressures the Thai government to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodian Ceasefire with Tariff Warnings Washington has exerted influence on Thailand to reaffirm its dedication to a ceasefire agreement with Cambodia, indicating that trade negotiations could be suspended as attempts are made to stop a Trump-mediated ceasefire arrangement from falling apart. Rising Border Hostilities Earlier this week, Thailand announced it was suspending the ceasefire deal, alleging Cambodia of laying fresh landmines along the mutual frontier, among them an incident that reportedly injured a Thai soldier on patrol, who lost a foot in the explosion. Since then, one person has been killed and multiple individuals injured by gunfire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, raising concerns of a new round of tit-for-tat fighting. US Trade Pressure On Saturday, a representative from Thailand's foreign office informed reporters that a official communication from the Office of the US Trade Representative announcing the suspension of trade deal talks was obtained on the previous evening. He quoted the document as stating that trade negotiations – which are addressing a 19 percent American duty – could resume once Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to carrying out the mutual truce agreement. “Trade talks are ongoing and distinct from frontier matters,” said another government spokesperson. Trump’s Tariff Threat Speaking to the press aboard the presidential plane as he flew to Florida on Friday, Trump implied that he had employed tariff warnings in discussions 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,” continuing, “they are performing well. I believe they will be okay.” Ceasefire Agreement Background Trump oversaw the signing of a ceasefire agreement, held in Malaysia 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 decade between military forces of both nations erupted in mid-summer, with exchanges of fire, shelling and aerial attacks causing numerous fatalities and 300,000 displaced. Historic Frontier Conflict Thailand and Cambodia have a longstanding border dispute that dates back to conflicts regarding colonial-era maps created by French cartographers. Ancient temples along the border are claimed by both sides. Reuters provided input for this coverage.