🔗 Share this article The US President Urges the Thai government to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodian Truce with Tariff Warnings Washington has exerted influence on Thailand to reaffirm its dedication to a truce deal with the Cambodian side, stating that trade talks could be suspended as attempts are made to prevent a Donald Trump-brokered peace agreement from falling apart. Border Tensions Escalate In recent days, Thai officials declared it was suspending the truce agreement, accusing Cambodian forces of planting new explosives along the mutual frontier, including one that allegedly wounded a Thai military personnel on duty, who suffered a foot amputation in the blast. Since then, one person has been killed and multiple individuals injured by exchanges of fire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, sparking fears of a new round of tit-for-tat fighting. American Economic Leverage On Saturday, a representative from Thailand's foreign office informed reporters that a letter from the Office of the US Trade Representative announcing the pause in trade negotiations was obtained on Friday night. He quoted the letter as saying that trade negotiations – which are addressing a US tariff of 19% – could restart once Thailand renewed its pledge to implementing the mutual truce agreement. “Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” said another government spokesperson. Trump’s Tariff Threat 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. 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 Trump oversaw the signing of a peace deal, held in Malaysia this October, and has touted it as one of multiple agreements around the world he says should win him the Nobel Peace prize. The worst fighting 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 The two neighboring countries have a longstanding border dispute that originates from conflicts regarding colonial-era maps drawn up by the French. Ancient temples along the frontier are disputed by each nation. Reuters provided input for this coverage.