🔗 Share this article The US President Urges the Thai government to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodia Ceasefire with Trade Penalties Washington has exerted influence on the Thai administration to recommit to a truce deal with Cambodia, warning that trade talks could be paused as attempts are made to stop a Donald Trump-brokered ceasefire arrangement from falling apart. Rising Border Hostilities Earlier this week, Thai officials declared it was suspending the truce agreement, alleging Cambodia of planting new explosives along the mutual frontier, including one that allegedly wounded a Thai soldier on patrol, who lost a foot in the blast. Following this, one person has been killed and several others wounded by gunfire along the border between the two nations, sparking fears of a fresh wave of retaliatory clashes. American Economic Leverage Over the weekend, a representative from Thailand's foreign office told journalists that a letter from the U.S. trade office announcing the pause in trade negotiations was obtained on the previous evening. He quoted the document as stating that discussions on trade – which are addressing a US tariff of 19% – could restart once the Thai government reaffirmed its commitment to carrying out the mutual truce agreement. “Trade talks are ongoing and distinct from frontier matters,” stated another government spokesperson. Trump’s Tariff Threat Addressing reporters on Air Force One as he traveled to the Sunshine State on the end of the week, the US leader implied that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in discussions with the south-east Asian leaders. He stated, “Today, I prevented a conflict using tariffs, the menace of duties,” adding, “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 touted it as one of multiple agreements around the world he says should earn him the Nobel Peace prize. The most severe clashes in a ten years between Thai and Cambodian troops broke out in July, with exchanges of fire, shelling and aerial attacks leaving dozens of people killed and 300,000 displaced. Longstanding Border Dispute Thailand and Cambodia 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.