The US President Urges the Thai government to Recommit to Cambodia Ceasefire with Trade Penalties

Washington has exerted influence on Thailand to reaffirm its dedication to a truce deal with the Cambodian side, stating that trade talks could be paused as attempts are made to prevent a Trump-mediated ceasefire arrangement from falling apart.

Border Tensions Escalate

In recent days, Thailand declared it was putting on hold the truce agreement, alleging Cambodian forces of laying fresh landmines along the mutual frontier, among them an incident that reportedly injured a Thai soldier on patrol, who suffered a foot amputation in the explosion.

Following this, a fatality occurred and multiple individuals injured by gunfire along the border between the two nations, raising concerns of a new round of retaliatory clashes.

US Trade Pressure

Over the weekend, a representative from Thailand's foreign office told journalists that a letter from the U.S. trade office declaring the pause in trade negotiations was received on Friday night.

He quoted the letter as stating that trade negotiations – which are focusing on a 19 percent American duty – could resume once Thailand renewed its pledge to implementing the mutual truce agreement.

“Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” stated a different official representative.

President’s Economic Warning

Addressing reporters 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 discussions with the ASEAN nation heads.

The US president said, “I stopped a war just today through the use of tariffs, the threat of tariffs,” adding, “they’re doing great. I think they’re gonna be fine.”

Truce Deal Origins

The President witnessed the finalization of a peace deal, conducted in Malaysian territory this last autumn, and has touted it as one of several deals around the globe he says should win him the prestigious peace award.

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.

Historic Frontier Conflict

The two neighboring countries have a historic territorial disagreement that dates back to conflicts regarding colonial-era maps drawn up by the French. Ancient temples along the border are disputed by each nation.

Reuters contributed to this report.