🔗 Share this article The US President Compels Thailand to Recommit to Cambodian Truce with ‘Threat of Tariffs’ Washington has exerted influence on the Thai administration to recommit to a ceasefire agreement with Cambodia, warning that trade negotiations could be paused as attempts are made to prevent a Trump-mediated peace agreement from collapsing. Rising Border Hostilities In recent days, Thai officials declared it was putting on hold the truce agreement, alleging Cambodian forces of laying fresh landmines along the shared border, among them an incident that allegedly injured a Thai soldier on patrol, who lost a foot in the blast. Following this, a fatality occurred and multiple individuals injured by gunfire along the border between the two nations, sparking fears of a fresh wave of retaliatory clashes. American Economic Leverage Over the weekend, a representative from Thailand's foreign office informed reporters that a letter from the U.S. trade office declaring the pause in trade negotiations was received on Friday night. He quoted the letter as stating that discussions on trade – which are addressing a US tariff of 19% – could resume once Thailand renewed its pledge to carrying out the joint ceasefire declaration. “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 flew to Florida on Friday, the US leader suggested that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in calls with the south-east Asian leaders. The US president said, “Today, I prevented a conflict using tariffs, the menace of duties,” adding, “they’re doing great. I think they’re gonna be fine.” Ceasefire Agreement Background Trump oversaw the signing of a peace deal, held in Malaysia 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 decade between Thai and Cambodian troops erupted in mid-summer, with exchanges of fire, shelling and aerial attacks causing numerous fatalities 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 created by French cartographers. Historic shrines along the frontier are claimed by both sides. Reuters contributed to this report.