🔗 Share this article Trump Compels Thailand to Recommit to Cambodia Truce with Trade Penalties Washington has exerted influence on the Thai administration to reaffirm its dedication to a ceasefire agreement with the Cambodian side, indicating that trade talks could be suspended as efforts are made to prevent a Trump-mediated peace agreement from collapsing. Rising Border Hostilities In recent days, Thailand announced it was suspending the truce agreement, accusing Cambodia of planting new explosives along the mutual frontier, including one that reportedly injured a Thai military personnel on patrol, who lost a foot in the blast. Following this, one person has been killed and several others wounded by gunfire along the border between the two nations, sparking fears of a new round of retaliatory clashes. US Trade Pressure On Saturday, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson told journalists that a official communication from the Office of the US Trade Representative announcing the suspension of trade deal talks was obtained on the previous evening. The spokesperson referenced the letter as saying that discussions on trade – which are addressing a US tariff of 19% – could restart once the Thai government reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the joint ceasefire declaration. “Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” said another government spokesperson. President’s Economic Warning Addressing reporters aboard the presidential plane as he traveled to the Sunshine State on the end of the week, the US leader suggested that he had employed tariff warnings in discussions with the south-east Asian leaders. He stated, “I stopped a war just today through the use of tariffs, the threat of tariffs,” adding, “they are performing well. I believe they will be okay.” Truce Deal Origins Trump oversaw the signing of a peace deal, conducted in Malaysian territory this last autumn, and has touted it as one of multiple agreements around the globe he says should earn him the prestigious peace award. The most severe clashes in a ten years between military forces of both nations erupted in July, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes leaving dozens of people killed and 300,000 displaced. Longstanding Border Dispute Thailand and Cambodia have a historic territorial disagreement that dates back to disagreements over maps from the colonial period created by French cartographers. Historic shrines along the frontier are claimed by both sides. Reuters contributed to this report.