🔗 Share this article

Washington has exerted influence on the Thai administration to recommit to a ceasefire agreement with Cambodia, stating that trade negotiations could be suspended as efforts are made to stop a Trump-mediated peace agreement from collapsing.

Rising Border Hostilities

In recent days, Thai officials declared it was putting on hold the ceasefire deal, accusing Cambodia of planting new explosives along the shared border, among them an incident that allegedly wounded a Thai soldier on duty, who lost a foot in the explosion.

Since then, one person has been killed and several others wounded by exchanges of fire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, sparking fears of a new round of tit-for-tat fighting.

US Trade Pressure

Over the weekend, a representative from Thailand's foreign office informed reporters that a official communication from the Office of the US Trade Representative declaring the suspension of trade deal talks was obtained on the previous evening.

The spokesperson referenced the letter as stating that trade negotiations – which are addressing a 19 percent American duty – could resume once Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the mutual truce agreement.

“Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” said a different official representative.

President’s Economic Warning

Speaking to the press on Air Force One as he traveled to the Sunshine State on Friday, Trump suggested that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in calls with the ASEAN nation heads.

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 peace deal, conducted in Malaysian territory this October, and has touted it as one of multiple agreements around the world he says should win him the prestigious peace award.

The most severe clashes in a ten years between military forces of both nations erupted in mid-summer, 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 provided input for this coverage.