🔗 Share this article Trump Urges Thailand to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodia Ceasefire with ‘Threat of Tariffs’ The United States has applied pressure on the Thai administration to reaffirm its dedication to a truce deal with the Cambodian side, indicating that trade negotiations could be suspended as attempts are made to prevent a Trump-mediated ceasefire arrangement from falling apart. Border Tensions Escalate In recent days, Thailand announced it was putting on hold the truce agreement, accusing Cambodian forces of planting new explosives along the shared border, including one that allegedly wounded a Thai soldier on duty, who lost a foot in the explosion. Following this, one person has been killed and several others wounded by gunfire along the border between the two nations, raising concerns of a new round of retaliatory clashes. American Economic Leverage Over the weekend, a representative from Thailand's foreign office told journalists that a letter from the U.S. trade office announcing the pause in trade negotiations was received on the previous evening. He quoted the letter as saying that trade negotiations – which are addressing a US tariff of 19% – could resume once the Thai government renewed its pledge to carrying out the mutual truce agreement. “Trade talks are ongoing and distinct from frontier matters,” stated another government spokesperson. President’s Economic Warning Addressing reporters on Air Force One as he traveled to the Sunshine State on Friday, Trump implied that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in discussions with the south-east Asian leaders. He stated, “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.” Ceasefire Agreement Background The President witnessed the finalization of a peace deal, held in Malaysia this last autumn, and has touted it as one of several deals around the globe he says should earn him the Nobel Peace prize. 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. Longstanding Border Dispute Thailand and Cambodia have a longstanding border dispute that dates back to conflicts regarding maps from the colonial period created by French cartographers. Ancient temples along the frontier are claimed by both sides. Reuters provided input for this coverage.