🔗 Share this article The US President Pressures the Thai government to Recommit to Cambodian Ceasefire with Trade Penalties The United States has applied pressure on Thailand to reaffirm its dedication to a truce deal with Cambodia, stating that trade talks could be halted as attempts are made to stop a Trump-mediated peace agreement from collapsing. Border Tensions Escalate Earlier this week, Thai officials declared it was putting on hold the truce agreement, accusing Cambodian forces of planting new explosives along the mutual frontier, including one that reportedly injured a Thai soldier on duty, who lost a foot in the explosion. Following this, 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. US Trade Pressure On Saturday, a representative from Thailand's foreign office told journalists that a official communication from the U.S. trade office announcing the pause in trade negotiations was received on Friday night. He quoted the document as saying that trade negotiations – which are addressing a 19 percent American duty – 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 Speaking to the press aboard the presidential plane as he flew to Florida on Friday, the US leader suggested that he had employed tariff warnings 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.” Truce Deal Origins The President witnessed the finalization of a ceasefire agreement, conducted in Malaysian territory this October, and has touted it as one of multiple agreements around the world he says 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 causing numerous fatalities and 300,000 displaced. Historic Frontier Conflict The two neighboring countries have a historic territorial disagreement that originates from conflicts regarding maps from the colonial period drawn up by the French. Historic shrines along the frontier are claimed by both sides. International news agency contributed to this report.