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Washington has exerted influence on Thailand to reaffirm its dedication to a truce deal with the Cambodian side, stating that trade negotiations could be suspended as efforts are made to stop a Donald Trump-brokered peace agreement from falling apart.

Rising Border Hostilities

In recent days, Thailand announced it was suspending the ceasefire deal, alleging Cambodian forces of laying fresh landmines along the shared border, including one that allegedly injured a Thai soldier on duty, who lost a foot in the explosion.

Since then, one person has been killed and several others wounded by gunfire along the border between the two nations, sparking fears of a fresh wave of retaliatory clashes.

American Economic Leverage

Over the weekend, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson informed reporters that a letter from the U.S. trade office announcing the pause in trade negotiations was obtained on Friday night.

The spokesperson referenced the document as saying that trade negotiations – which are addressing a 19 percent American duty – could restart once Thailand renewed its pledge to carrying out the mutual truce agreement.

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

President’s Economic Warning

Addressing reporters aboard the presidential plane as he flew to Florida on the end of the week, Trump implied that he had employed tariff warnings in discussions with the south-east Asian leaders.

He stated, “Today, I prevented a conflict using tariffs, the menace of duties,” continuing, “they’re doing great. I think they’re gonna be fine.”

Ceasefire Agreement Background

Trump oversaw the signing of a ceasefire agreement, conducted in Malaysian territory this October, and has promoted it as one of multiple agreements around the globe he says should earn him the prestigious peace award.

The worst fighting in a ten years between Thai and Cambodian troops broke out in July, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes leaving dozens of people killed and 300,000 displaced.

Historic Frontier Conflict

Thailand and Cambodia have a longstanding border dispute that originates from disagreements over colonial-era maps created by French cartographers. Historic shrines along the frontier are claimed by both sides.

Reuters provided input for this coverage.