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The United States has applied pressure on the Thai administration to reaffirm its dedication to a truce deal with the Cambodian side, stating that trade talks could be paused as efforts are made to stop a Donald Trump-brokered peace agreement from collapsing.

Rising Border Hostilities

Earlier this week, Thai officials declared it was suspending the ceasefire deal, accusing Cambodia of laying fresh landmines along the mutual frontier, among them an incident that reportedly injured a Thai military personnel on duty, who lost a foot in the explosion.

Following this, one person has been killed and multiple individuals injured by gunfire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, raising concerns of a fresh wave of retaliatory clashes.

US Trade Pressure

Over the weekend, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson informed reporters that a official communication from the Office of the US Trade Representative announcing the pause in trade negotiations was obtained on Friday night.

The spokesperson referenced the letter as saying that discussions on trade – which are focusing on 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,” said another government spokesperson.

Trump’s Tariff Threat

Speaking to the press aboard the presidential plane as he flew to Florida on the end of the week, the US leader implied that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in calls with the south-east Asian leaders.

The US president said, “Today, I prevented a conflict using tariffs, the menace of duties,” continuing, “they’re doing great. I think they’re gonna be fine.”

Truce Deal Origins

Trump oversaw the signing of a ceasefire agreement, conducted in Malaysian territory this October, and has touted it as one of several deals around the world he claims should earn him the Nobel Peace prize.

The worst fighting in a decade between military forces of both nations erupted in July, with exchanges of fire, shelling and aerial attacks causing numerous fatalities 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 maps from the colonial period drawn up by the French. Ancient temples along the border are disputed by each nation.

International news agency provided input for this coverage.