🔗 Share this article Trump Compels the Thai government to Recommit to Cambodia Ceasefire with Trade Penalties The United States has applied pressure on the Thai administration to reaffirm its dedication to a ceasefire agreement with Cambodia, indicating that trade talks could be paused as attempts are made to prevent a Trump-mediated peace agreement from collapsing. Border Tensions Escalate In recent days, Thai officials declared it was putting on hold the ceasefire deal, accusing Cambodia of laying fresh landmines along the shared border, including one that reportedly injured a Thai military personnel on patrol, who lost a foot in the explosion. Since then, a fatality occurred and several others wounded by exchanges of fire along the border between the two nations, sparking fears 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 Office of the US Trade Representative announcing the suspension of trade deal talks was obtained on Friday night. The spokesperson referenced 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. “Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” said a different official representative. President’s Economic Warning Addressing reporters aboard the presidential plane 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. The US president said, “I stopped a war just today through the use of tariffs, the threat of tariffs,” continuing, “they’re doing great. I think they’re gonna be fine.” Ceasefire Agreement Background Trump oversaw the signing of a ceasefire agreement, conducted in Malaysian territory this last autumn, and has touted it as one of several deals around the world he claims should earn him the Nobel Peace prize. 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 300,000 displaced. Longstanding Border Dispute Thailand and Cambodia have a longstanding border dispute that dates back to conflicts regarding maps from the colonial period created by French cartographers. Historic shrines along the frontier are disputed by each nation. Reuters provided input for this coverage.