🔗 Share this article Trump Urges the Thai government to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodian Ceasefire with Trade Penalties Washington has exerted influence on the Thai administration to recommit to a truce deal with Cambodia, stating that trade talks could be halted as efforts are made to prevent a Trump-mediated ceasefire arrangement from falling apart. Rising Border Hostilities In recent days, Thailand announced it was suspending the truce agreement, accusing Cambodia of laying fresh landmines along the mutual frontier, among them an incident that reportedly injured a Thai soldier on duty, who suffered a foot amputation in the blast. Since then, a fatality occurred and multiple individuals injured by gunfire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, sparking fears of a fresh wave of tit-for-tat fighting. US Trade Pressure On Saturday, a representative from Thailand's foreign office informed reporters that a official communication from the Office of the US Trade Representative declaring the suspension of trade deal talks was obtained on Friday night. He quoted the letter as saying that trade negotiations – which are focusing on a 19 percent American duty – could resume once Thailand renewed its pledge to carrying out the mutual truce agreement. “Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” said a different official representative. President’s Economic Warning Speaking to the press on Air Force One as he flew to Florida on the end of the week, Trump suggested that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in discussions 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, held in Malaysia this last autumn, and has touted it as one of several deals around the world he says should win him the Nobel Peace prize. The worst fighting in a decade between military forces of both nations erupted in mid-summer, with exchanges of fire, shelling and aerial attacks leaving dozens of people killed and hundreds of thousands forced to flee. Historic Frontier Conflict The two neighboring countries have a historic territorial disagreement that dates back to disagreements over colonial-era maps created by French cartographers. Ancient temples along the frontier are claimed by both sides. International news agency provided input for this coverage.