🔗 Share this article The US President Compels Thailand to Recommit to Cambodian Ceasefire with ‘Threat of Tariffs’ Washington has exerted influence on Thailand to recommit to a ceasefire agreement with Cambodia, indicating that trade talks could be halted 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 suspending the ceasefire deal, accusing Cambodia of laying fresh landmines along the shared border, including one that reportedly injured a Thai military personnel on patrol, who suffered a foot amputation in the blast. Following this, a fatality occurred and multiple individuals injured by exchanges of fire along the border between the two nations, raising concerns of a new round of tit-for-tat fighting. American Economic Leverage On Saturday, a representative from Thailand's foreign office told journalists that a letter from the U.S. trade office announcing the suspension of trade deal talks was obtained on the previous evening. The spokesperson referenced the document as saying that discussions on trade – which are focusing on a US tariff of 19% – could resume 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 Speaking to the press aboard the presidential plane as he flew to Florida on the end of the week, Trump suggested that he had used the “threat of tariffs” 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,” continuing, “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 touted it as one of multiple agreements around the globe he says should win him the Nobel Peace prize. The most severe clashes in a ten years between Thai and Cambodian troops erupted in July, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes 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. Historic shrines along the border are disputed by each nation. International news agency provided input for this coverage.