🔗 Share this article The US President Compels the Thai government to Reaffirm Commitment to Cambodia Ceasefire with Trade Penalties The United States has applied pressure on the Thai administration to reaffirm its dedication to a ceasefire agreement with Cambodia, stating that trade talks could be halted as attempts are made to stop a Trump-mediated ceasefire arrangement from falling apart. Rising Border Hostilities Earlier this week, Thai officials declared it was putting on hold the ceasefire deal, accusing Cambodia of laying fresh landmines along the shared border, including one that reportedly wounded a Thai military personnel on duty, who suffered a foot amputation in the explosion. Following this, a fatality occurred and multiple individuals injured by exchanges of fire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, sparking fears of a new round of retaliatory clashes. US Trade Pressure Over the weekend, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson informed reporters that a letter from the Office of the US Trade Representative declaring the pause in trade negotiations was obtained on Friday night. He quoted the document as stating that discussions on trade – which are focusing on a 19 percent American duty – could restart once Thailand renewed its pledge to carrying out the mutual truce agreement. “Trade talks are ongoing and distinct from frontier matters,” said a different official representative. Trump’s Tariff Threat Speaking to the press on Air Force One as he traveled to the Sunshine State on Friday, the US leader implied that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in discussions with the ASEAN nation heads. He stated, “Today, I prevented a conflict using tariffs, the menace of duties,” adding, “they are performing well. I believe they will be okay.” Truce Deal Origins Trump oversaw the signing of a ceasefire agreement, conducted in Malaysian territory this last autumn, and has promoted it as one of multiple agreements around the globe he says should win him the prestigious peace award. The most severe clashes in a decade 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 The two neighboring countries have a historic territorial disagreement that originates from disagreements over maps from the colonial period drawn up by the French. Historic shrines along the frontier are claimed by both sides. Reuters contributed to this report.