🔗 Share this article

The United States has applied pressure on Thailand to reaffirm its dedication to a ceasefire agreement with the Cambodian side, indicating that trade talks could be suspended as attempts are made to stop a Donald Trump-brokered peace agreement from collapsing.

Rising Border Hostilities

Earlier this week, Thai officials declared it was suspending the ceasefire deal, alleging Cambodian forces of laying fresh landmines along the mutual frontier, including one that reportedly wounded a Thai soldier on duty, who lost a foot in the blast.

Since then, a fatality occurred and multiple individuals injured by gunfire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, raising concerns of a new round of tit-for-tat fighting.

American Economic Leverage

Over the weekend, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson informed reporters that a letter from the Office of the US Trade Representative declaring the pause in trade negotiations was obtained on the previous evening.

He quoted the letter as saying that discussions on trade – which are addressing a US tariff of 19% – could resume once the Thai government renewed its pledge to implementing the mutual truce agreement.

“Trade talks are ongoing and distinct from frontier matters,” stated a different official representative.

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 suggested that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in discussions with the ASEAN nation heads.

The US president said, “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 promoted it as one of multiple agreements around the globe he claims should win 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 causing numerous fatalities and 300,000 displaced.

Historic Frontier Conflict

The two neighboring countries have a historic territorial disagreement that originates from disagreements over colonial-era maps drawn up by the French. Ancient temples along the border are disputed by each nation.

Reuters provided input for this coverage.