🔗 Share this article The US President Urges the Thai government to Recommit to Cambodia Truce with ‘Threat of Tariffs’ Washington has exerted influence on the Thai administration to reaffirm its dedication to a ceasefire agreement with Cambodia, stating that trade talks could be halted as efforts are made to prevent a Donald Trump-brokered ceasefire arrangement from falling apart. Border Tensions Escalate In recent days, Thailand announced it was suspending the ceasefire deal, alleging Cambodia of laying fresh landmines along the shared border, including one that allegedly wounded a Thai soldier on duty, who lost a foot in the blast. Following this, a fatality occurred and multiple individuals injured by gunfire along the border between the two nations, sparking fears of a new round of tit-for-tat fighting. US Trade Pressure Over the weekend, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson told journalists that a official communication from the Office of the US Trade Representative declaring the pause in trade negotiations was received on Friday night. He quoted the letter as stating that trade negotiations – which are addressing a US tariff of 19% – could resume once the Thai government reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the mutual truce agreement. “Trade talks are ongoing and distinct from frontier matters,” said another government spokesperson. President’s Economic Warning Speaking to the press aboard the presidential plane as he traveled to the Sunshine State 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.” 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 multiple agreements around the world he says should earn him the Nobel Peace prize. The worst fighting in a ten years between Thai and Cambodian troops broke out in July, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes leaving dozens of people killed and hundreds of thousands forced to flee. Historic Frontier Conflict Thailand and Cambodia have a longstanding border dispute that dates back to disagreements over colonial-era maps drawn up by the French. Ancient temples along the frontier are claimed by both sides. International news agency provided input for this coverage.