🔗 Share this article Trump Compels the Thai government to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodian Ceasefire with ‘Threat of Tariffs’ Washington has exerted influence on the Thai administration to reaffirm its dedication to a ceasefire agreement with Cambodia, stating that trade negotiations could be paused as efforts are made to stop a Donald Trump-brokered peace agreement from collapsing. Rising Border Hostilities In recent days, Thailand declared it was suspending the ceasefire deal, accusing Cambodian forces of planting new explosives along the shared border, including one that allegedly wounded 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. American Economic Leverage On Saturday, a representative from Thailand's foreign office informed reporters that a official communication from the U.S. trade office declaring the pause in trade negotiations was obtained on the previous evening. He quoted the letter as saying that discussions on trade – which are addressing a US tariff of 19% – could restart once Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the joint ceasefire declaration. “Trade talks are ongoing and distinct from frontier matters,” said another government spokesperson. Trump’s Tariff Threat Addressing reporters aboard the presidential plane as he traveled to the Sunshine State on Friday, Trump implied that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in discussions with the south-east Asian leaders. The US president said, “Today, I prevented a conflict using tariffs, the menace of duties,” continuing, “they are performing well. I believe they will be okay.” Ceasefire Agreement Background The President witnessed the finalization of a ceasefire agreement, conducted in Malaysian territory this October, and has touted it as one of multiple agreements around the world he claims 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 leaving dozens of people killed and hundreds of thousands forced to flee. Historic Frontier Conflict The two neighboring countries have a longstanding border dispute that originates from conflicts regarding maps from the colonial period drawn up by the French. Ancient temples along the border are disputed by each nation. International news agency contributed to this report.