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Washington has exerted influence on the Thai administration to reaffirm its dedication to a ceasefire agreement with Cambodia, stating that trade negotiations could be paused as efforts are made to prevent a Donald Trump-brokered ceasefire arrangement from falling apart.

Rising Border Hostilities

In recent days, Thailand announced it was suspending the truce agreement, alleging Cambodia of laying fresh landmines along the shared border, among them an incident that allegedly wounded a Thai soldier on duty, who lost a foot in the explosion.

Since then, a fatality occurred and multiple individuals injured by gunfire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, raising concerns of a new round of tit-for-tat fighting.

US Trade Pressure

Over the weekend, a representative from Thailand's foreign office informed reporters that a letter from the U.S. trade office announcing the pause in trade negotiations was obtained on Friday night.

He quoted the document as stating that discussions on trade – which are focusing on a US tariff of 19% – could resume once the Thai government renewed its pledge to carrying out the joint ceasefire declaration.

“Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” said another government spokesperson.

President’s Economic Warning

Speaking to the press on Air Force One as he traveled to the Sunshine State on Friday, Trump suggested 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

The President witnessed the finalization of a peace deal, conducted in Malaysian territory this October, and has promoted it as one of multiple agreements around the world he claims should win him the prestigious peace award.

The most severe clashes in a decade between military forces of both nations broke out in mid-summer, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes leaving dozens of people killed and 300,000 displaced.

Historic Frontier Conflict

The two neighboring countries have a historic territorial disagreement that originates from conflicts regarding maps from the colonial period drawn up by the French. Ancient temples along the frontier are claimed by both sides.

International news agency provided input for this coverage.