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The United States has applied pressure on the Thai administration to reaffirm its dedication to a truce deal with Cambodia, indicating that trade negotiations could be paused as efforts are made to prevent a Donald Trump-brokered peace agreement from falling apart.

Rising Border Hostilities

Earlier this week, Thailand announced it was suspending the truce agreement, accusing Cambodian forces of laying fresh landmines along the mutual frontier, including one that reportedly wounded a Thai soldier on duty, who lost a foot in the blast.

Since then, a fatality occurred and several others wounded by exchanges of fire along the border between the two nations, raising concerns of a new round of retaliatory clashes.

US Trade Pressure

Over the weekend, a representative from Thailand's foreign office told journalists that a letter from the Office of the US Trade Representative announcing the suspension of trade deal talks was received on Friday night.

The spokesperson referenced the letter as stating 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,” 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, the US leader implied that he had employed tariff warnings in calls with the ASEAN nation heads.

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, held in Malaysia this last autumn, and has touted it as one of multiple agreements around the world he claims should earn him the prestigious peace award.

The most severe clashes 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 historic territorial disagreement that dates back to disagreements over colonial-era maps created by French cartographers. Historic shrines along the frontier are claimed by both sides.

International news agency contributed to this report.