🔗 Share this article The US President Pressures Thailand to Recommit to Cambodia Ceasefire with ‘Threat of Tariffs’ The United States has applied pressure on Thailand to recommit to a ceasefire agreement with Cambodia, warning that trade negotiations could be paused as efforts are made to stop a Trump-mediated peace agreement from falling apart. Rising Border Hostilities In recent days, Thailand announced it was suspending the truce agreement, accusing Cambodia of planting new explosives along the shared border, including one that allegedly injured a Thai soldier on duty, who suffered a foot amputation in the explosion. Since then, a fatality occurred and multiple individuals injured by exchanges of fire along the border between the two nations, raising concerns of a new round of tit-for-tat fighting. American Economic Leverage On Saturday, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson informed reporters that a official communication from the U.S. trade office announcing the suspension of trade deal talks was received on the previous evening. The spokesperson referenced the document as saying that trade negotiations – which are focusing on a US tariff of 19% – could restart once the Thai government reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the joint ceasefire declaration. “Trade talks are ongoing and distinct from frontier matters,” stated a different official representative. President’s Economic Warning Speaking to the press on Air Force One as he flew to Florida on the end of the week, Trump implied that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in discussions with the south-east Asian leaders. 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 Trump oversaw the signing of a ceasefire agreement, held in Malaysia this October, and has promoted it as one of multiple agreements around the world he says should win him the Nobel Peace prize. The most severe clashes in a decade between military forces of both nations erupted in mid-summer, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes causing numerous fatalities and 300,000 displaced. Historic Frontier Conflict The two neighboring countries have a longstanding border dispute that originates from disagreements over colonial-era maps created by French cartographers. Ancient temples along the border are claimed by both sides. Reuters provided input for this coverage.