🔗 Share this article Trump Urges the Thai government to Recommit to Cambodia Truce with Tariff Warnings Washington has exerted influence on the Thai administration to reaffirm its dedication to a ceasefire agreement with the Cambodian side, stating that trade negotiations could be paused as attempts are made to prevent a Donald Trump-brokered ceasefire arrangement from collapsing. Rising Border Hostilities Earlier this week, Thai officials announced it was suspending the truce agreement, alleging Cambodian forces of laying fresh landmines along the shared border, among them an incident that reportedly wounded a Thai military personnel on patrol, who suffered a foot amputation in the explosion. Following this, a fatality occurred and multiple individuals injured by gunfire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, sparking fears of a fresh wave of retaliatory clashes. American Economic Leverage On Saturday, a representative from Thailand's foreign office informed reporters that a letter from the Office of the US Trade Representative declaring the pause in trade negotiations was obtained on Friday night. He quoted the document as stating that trade negotiations – which are addressing a US tariff of 19% – could restart once the Thai government reaffirmed its commitment 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 Speaking to the press aboard the presidential plane as he flew to Florida on Friday, Trump implied that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in discussions with the ASEAN nation heads. The US president said, “Today, I prevented a conflict using tariffs, the menace of duties,” adding, “they’re doing great. I think they’re gonna be fine.” Ceasefire Agreement Background The President witnessed the finalization of a ceasefire agreement, conducted in Malaysian territory this last autumn, and has promoted it as one of several deals around the globe he claims should earn him the prestigious peace award. The most severe clashes in a ten years between Thai and Cambodian troops broke out in mid-summer, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes causing numerous fatalities and hundreds of thousands forced to flee. Longstanding Border Dispute The two neighboring countries have a longstanding border dispute that dates back to disagreements over colonial-era maps created by French cartographers. Ancient temples along the frontier are disputed by each nation. Reuters contributed to this report.