Trump Compels the Thai government to Recommit to Cambodia Truce with Tariff Warnings

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 negotiations could be halted as efforts are made to stop a Donald Trump-brokered peace agreement from falling apart.

Rising Border Hostilities

In recent days, Thai officials declared it was suspending the truce agreement, accusing Cambodia of laying fresh landmines along the mutual frontier, among them an incident that allegedly injured a Thai soldier on patrol, who lost a foot in the explosion.

Following this, one person has been killed and several others wounded 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

On Saturday, a representative from Thailand's foreign office informed reporters that a letter from the Office of the US Trade Representative declaring the pause in trade negotiations was received on the previous evening.

He quoted the letter as saying that trade negotiations – which are focusing on a 19 percent American duty – could restart once Thailand renewed its pledge to implementing the joint ceasefire declaration.

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

President’s Economic Warning

Addressing reporters aboard the presidential plane as he flew to Florida on Friday, Trump suggested that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in discussions with the south-east Asian leaders.

The US president said, “I stopped a war just today through the use of tariffs, the threat of tariffs,” continuing, “they are performing well. I believe they will be okay.”

Truce Deal Origins

Trump oversaw the signing of a peace deal, held in Malaysia this last autumn, and has touted it as one of multiple agreements around the world he says should earn him the Nobel Peace prize.

The worst fighting in a ten years between Thai and Cambodian troops 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 conflicts regarding colonial-era maps drawn up by the French. Ancient temples along the frontier are claimed by both sides.

International news agency contributed to this report.