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

Rising Border Hostilities

In recent days, Thailand announced it was putting on hold the ceasefire deal, accusing Cambodian forces of laying fresh landmines along the shared border, including one that reportedly wounded a Thai soldier on patrol, who lost a foot in the explosion.

Since then, a fatality occurred and multiple individuals injured by gunfire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, sparking fears of a new round of retaliatory clashes.

American Economic Leverage

Over the weekend, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson told journalists that a letter from the Office of the US Trade Representative announcing the suspension of trade deal talks was received on the previous evening.

The spokesperson referenced the letter as saying that discussions on trade – which are focusing on a 19 percent American duty – could restart once the Thai government reaffirmed its commitment to carrying out the joint ceasefire declaration.

“Trade talks are ongoing and distinct from frontier matters,” stated a different official representative.

Trump’s Tariff Threat

Addressing reporters aboard the presidential plane as he flew to Florida on Friday, the US leader implied that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in discussions with the south-east Asian leaders.

He stated, “Today, I prevented a conflict using tariffs, the menace of duties,” adding, “they are performing well. I believe they will be okay.”

Ceasefire Agreement Background

Trump oversaw the signing of a peace deal, held in Malaysia this October, and has promoted it as one of several deals around the globe he claims should earn him the prestigious peace award.

The most severe clashes in a decade between military forces of both nations broke out in July, 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 historic territorial disagreement that originates from conflicts regarding maps from the colonial period drawn up by the French. Ancient temples along the border are claimed by both sides.

International news agency provided input for this coverage.