🔗 Share this article The US President Pressures Thailand to Recommit to Cambodian Truce 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 halted as attempts are made to stop a Trump-mediated ceasefire arrangement from collapsing. 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 explosion. Following this, 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. US Trade Pressure Over the weekend, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson informed reporters that a official communication from the Office of the US Trade Representative declaring the pause in trade negotiations was obtained on Friday night. The spokesperson referenced the document as saying that trade negotiations – which are addressing a US tariff of 19% – could resume once the Thai government reaffirmed its commitment to carrying out the joint ceasefire declaration. “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, the US leader suggested that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in calls 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.” 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 globe he claims should win him the Nobel Peace prize. The worst fighting in a ten years between military forces of both nations erupted in mid-summer, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes causing numerous fatalities and hundreds of thousands forced to flee. Historic Frontier Conflict Thailand and Cambodia have a longstanding border dispute that originates from conflicts regarding colonial-era maps drawn up by the French. Historic shrines along the frontier are claimed by both sides. Reuters contributed to this report.