🔗 Share this article

Washington has exerted influence on the Thai administration to recommit to a ceasefire agreement with Cambodia, stating that trade talks could be paused as attempts are made to prevent a Donald Trump-brokered peace agreement from collapsing.

Rising Border Hostilities

Earlier this week, Thailand announced it was putting on hold the ceasefire deal, alleging Cambodian forces of planting new explosives along the shared border, among them an incident that reportedly injured a Thai soldier on duty, who suffered a foot amputation in the explosion.

Since then, one person has been killed and several others wounded by gunfire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, raising concerns of a fresh wave of retaliatory clashes.

American Economic Leverage

Over the weekend, a representative from Thailand's foreign office told journalists that a official communication from the Office of the US Trade Representative declaring the pause in trade negotiations was obtained on Friday night.

The spokesperson referenced the document as stating that trade negotiations – which are focusing on a 19 percent American duty – could restart once the Thai government renewed its pledge to implementing the joint ceasefire declaration.

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

Trump’s Tariff Threat

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

The US president said, “Today, I prevented a conflict using tariffs, the menace of duties,” continuing, “they are performing well. I believe they will be okay.”

Truce Deal Origins

Trump oversaw the signing of a ceasefire agreement, held in Malaysia this last autumn, and has promoted it as one of multiple agreements around the world he says should win him the prestigious peace award.

The worst fighting in a ten years between military forces of both nations broke out in July, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes leaving dozens of people killed and 300,000 displaced.

Historic Frontier Conflict

The two neighboring countries have a longstanding border dispute that originates from conflicts regarding 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.