🔗 Share this article The US President Urges Thailand to Recommit to Cambodia Truce with ‘Threat of Tariffs’ Washington has exerted influence on Thailand to recommit to a ceasefire agreement with Cambodia, indicating that trade talks could be suspended as efforts are made to stop a Trump-mediated peace agreement from falling apart. Border Tensions Escalate Earlier this week, Thailand announced it was putting on hold the ceasefire deal, alleging Cambodian forces of laying fresh landmines along the mutual frontier, including one that reportedly wounded a Thai military personnel on duty, who suffered a foot amputation in the explosion. Following this, a fatality occurred and several others wounded by gunfire along the border between the two nations, sparking fears of a new round of tit-for-tat fighting. American Economic Leverage Over the weekend, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson told journalists that a letter from the Office of the US Trade Representative declaring the suspension of trade deal talks was obtained on the previous evening. The spokesperson referenced the document as stating that discussions on trade – which are addressing a US tariff of 19% – could restart once Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the mutual truce agreement. “Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” said another government spokesperson. Trump’s Tariff Threat Speaking to the press on Air Force One as he traveled to the Sunshine State on the end of the week, Trump implied that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in calls 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.” Truce Deal Origins Trump oversaw the signing of a peace deal, conducted in Malaysian territory this last autumn, and has promoted it as one of several deals around the globe he claims should win him the prestigious peace award. The worst fighting in a ten years between military forces of both nations erupted in July, with exchanges of fire, shelling and aerial attacks causing numerous fatalities and hundreds of thousands forced to flee. Historic Frontier Conflict Thailand and Cambodia have a longstanding border dispute that originates from disagreements over maps from the colonial period drawn up by the French. Historic shrines along the border are disputed by each nation. International news agency contributed to this report.