🔗 Share this article The US President Urges Thailand to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodian Ceasefire with Trade Penalties Washington has exerted influence on the Thai administration to reaffirm its dedication to a truce deal with the Cambodian side, warning that trade talks could be suspended as efforts are made to prevent a Donald Trump-brokered peace agreement from collapsing. Rising Border Hostilities In recent days, Thai officials declared it was suspending the ceasefire deal, accusing Cambodia of planting new explosives along the mutual frontier, among them an incident that allegedly wounded a Thai military personnel on duty, who lost a foot in the blast. Following this, a fatality occurred and multiple individuals injured by exchanges of fire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, sparking fears of a new round of retaliatory clashes. US Trade Pressure Over the weekend, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson informed reporters that a official communication from the U.S. trade office declaring the pause in trade negotiations was obtained on Friday night. The spokesperson referenced the letter as saying that trade negotiations – which are focusing on a US tariff of 19% – could resume once the Thai government reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the joint ceasefire declaration. “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 traveled to the Sunshine State on Friday, Trump implied that he had employed tariff warnings in calls with the ASEAN nation heads. 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 The President witnessed the finalization of a peace deal, conducted in Malaysian territory this last autumn, and has touted it as one of several deals around the globe he claims should earn him the prestigious peace award. The worst fighting in a ten years between Thai and Cambodian troops erupted in mid-summer, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes causing numerous fatalities and 300,000 displaced. Longstanding Border Dispute The two neighboring countries have a longstanding border dispute that originates from conflicts regarding maps from the colonial period created by French cartographers. Historic shrines along the border are disputed by each nation. International news agency contributed to this report.