🔗 Share this article Trump Compels the Thai government to Recommit to Cambodian Truce with Tariff Warnings The United States has applied pressure on Thailand to recommit to a truce deal with the Cambodian side, warning that trade negotiations could be suspended as efforts are made to prevent a Donald Trump-brokered ceasefire arrangement from collapsing. Border Tensions Escalate In recent days, Thai officials announced it was suspending the ceasefire deal, alleging Cambodia of laying fresh landmines along the shared border, among them an incident that allegedly wounded a Thai military personnel on duty, who lost a foot in the explosion. Since then, a fatality occurred and multiple individuals injured by exchanges of fire along the border between the two nations, sparking fears of a new round of tit-for-tat fighting. US Trade Pressure On Saturday, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson informed reporters that a letter from the U.S. trade office announcing the suspension of trade deal talks was obtained on Friday night. He quoted the document as stating that discussions on trade – which are focusing on a US tariff of 19% – could restart once Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to carrying out the joint ceasefire declaration. “Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” stated a different official representative. President’s Economic Warning Speaking to the press aboard the presidential plane as he traveled to the Sunshine State on the end of the week, Trump suggested that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in calls with the south-east Asian leaders. He stated, “I stopped a war just today through the use of tariffs, the threat of tariffs,” continuing, “they’re doing great. I think they’re gonna be fine.” Truce Deal Origins The President witnessed the finalization of a peace deal, held in Malaysia this last autumn, and has touted it as one of several deals around the globe he claims should win him the prestigious peace award. The most severe clashes in a decade between Thai and Cambodian troops broke out in July, with exchanges of fire, shelling and aerial attacks leaving dozens of people killed and hundreds of thousands forced to flee. Longstanding Border Dispute The two neighboring countries have a longstanding border dispute that dates back to disagreements over colonial-era maps drawn up by the French. Historic shrines along the border are claimed by both sides. Reuters provided input for this coverage.