🔗 Share this article Trump Compels Thailand to Recommit to Cambodia Ceasefire with Trade Penalties Washington has exerted influence on the Thai administration to reaffirm its dedication to a truce deal with the Cambodian side, warning that trade negotiations could be halted as attempts are made to prevent a Donald Trump-brokered peace agreement from collapsing. Border Tensions Escalate Earlier this week, Thailand declared it was suspending the ceasefire deal, accusing Cambodian forces of laying fresh landmines along the shared border, among them an incident that allegedly 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 Thai-Cambodia frontier, sparking fears of a new round of tit-for-tat fighting. American Economic Leverage On Saturday, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson told journalists that a letter from the U.S. trade office declaring the suspension of trade deal talks was obtained on the previous evening. The spokesperson referenced the document as stating that trade negotiations – which are addressing a US tariff of 19% – could restart once Thailand renewed its pledge to implementing the joint ceasefire declaration. “Trade talks are ongoing and distinct from frontier matters,” said another government spokesperson. President’s Economic Warning Addressing reporters on Air Force One as he traveled to the Sunshine State on the end of the week, Trump suggested that he had employed tariff warnings in calls 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 ceasefire agreement, held in Malaysia this October, and has promoted it as one of multiple agreements around the globe he claims should earn him the Nobel Peace prize. The worst fighting in a ten years between military forces of both nations erupted in July, with exchanges of fire, shelling and aerial attacks leaving dozens of people killed and 300,000 displaced. Historic Frontier Conflict Thailand and Cambodia have a longstanding border dispute that originates from disagreements over colonial-era maps drawn up by the French. Ancient temples along the frontier are disputed by each nation. International news agency contributed to this report.