🔗 Share this article Trump Pressures Thailand to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodia Ceasefire with Trade Penalties Washington has exerted influence on the Thai administration to reaffirm its dedication to a truce deal with Cambodia, indicating that trade negotiations could be suspended as efforts are made to prevent a Trump-mediated peace agreement from collapsing. Border Tensions Escalate In recent days, Thai officials announced it was suspending the ceasefire deal, accusing Cambodian forces of laying fresh landmines along the mutual frontier, among them an incident that allegedly wounded a Thai soldier on patrol, who suffered a foot amputation in the explosion. Since then, one person has been killed and several others wounded by exchanges of fire along the border between the two nations, raising concerns of a fresh wave of tit-for-tat fighting. US Trade Pressure Over the weekend, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson told journalists that a letter from the Office of the US Trade Representative announcing the pause in trade negotiations was received on the previous evening. He quoted the letter as saying that trade negotiations – which are focusing on a 19 percent American duty – could restart once the Thai government renewed its pledge to carrying out the mutual truce agreement. “Trade talks are ongoing and distinct from frontier matters,” said another government spokesperson. Trump’s Tariff Threat Addressing reporters aboard the presidential plane as he traveled to the Sunshine State on Friday, Trump suggested 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 are performing well. I believe they will be okay.” Truce Deal Origins Trump oversaw the signing of a peace deal, conducted in Malaysian territory this last autumn, and has promoted it as one of multiple agreements around the world he claims should earn him the prestigious peace award. The worst fighting in a ten years between Thai and Cambodian troops broke out in mid-summer, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes causing numerous fatalities and 300,000 displaced. Longstanding Border Dispute Thailand and Cambodia have a longstanding border dispute that dates back to conflicts regarding 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.