🔗 Share this article The US President Compels the Thai government to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodian Truce with ‘Threat of Tariffs’ The United States has applied pressure on the Thai administration to reaffirm its dedication to a ceasefire agreement with the Cambodian side, indicating that trade talks could be paused as attempts are made to prevent a Donald Trump-brokered peace agreement from collapsing. Border Tensions Escalate Earlier this week, Thai officials announced it was putting on hold the ceasefire deal, accusing Cambodia of planting new explosives along the shared border, including one that allegedly wounded a Thai soldier on patrol, who lost a foot in the blast. Following this, a fatality occurred and several others wounded by gunfire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, raising concerns of a new round of retaliatory clashes. American Economic Leverage Over the weekend, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson told journalists that a official communication from the U.S. trade office declaring the suspension of trade deal talks was received on the previous evening. He quoted the letter as stating that discussions on trade – which are focusing on a 19 percent American duty – could restart once the Thai government reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the joint ceasefire declaration. “Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” stated another government spokesperson. Trump’s Tariff Threat Addressing reporters 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 calls with the south-east Asian leaders. He stated, “Today, I prevented a conflict using tariffs, the menace of duties,” continuing, “they are performing well. I believe they will be okay.” Truce Deal Origins The President witnessed the finalization of a peace deal, conducted in Malaysian territory this October, and has touted it as one of several deals around the world he claims should win him the Nobel Peace prize. The worst fighting in a decade between Thai and Cambodian troops erupted in July, with exchanges of fire, shelling and aerial attacks leaving dozens of people killed and 300,000 displaced. Longstanding Border Dispute The two neighboring countries have a longstanding border dispute that originates from disagreements over colonial-era maps drawn up by the French. Historic shrines along the frontier are disputed by each nation. International news agency provided input for this coverage.