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The United States has applied pressure on the Thai administration to reaffirm its dedication to a ceasefire agreement with the Cambodian side, stating that trade negotiations could be paused as attempts are made to stop a Donald Trump-brokered ceasefire arrangement from collapsing.

Border Tensions Escalate

Earlier this week, Thailand declared it was suspending the ceasefire deal, alleging Cambodia of planting new explosives along the shared border, including one that allegedly wounded a Thai soldier on duty, who lost a foot in the blast.

Following this, one person has been killed and multiple individuals injured by exchanges of fire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, raising concerns of a new round of retaliatory clashes.

American Economic Leverage

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

The spokesperson referenced the letter as saying that trade negotiations – which are addressing a US tariff of 19% – could restart once Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the joint ceasefire declaration.

“Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” stated another government spokesperson.

Trump’s Tariff Threat

Speaking to the press aboard the presidential plane as he traveled to the Sunshine State on the end of the week, the US leader implied that he had employed tariff warnings in calls with the ASEAN nation heads.

He stated, “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

The President witnessed the finalization of a peace deal, held in Malaysia this last autumn, and has touted it as one of several deals around the world he says should win him the prestigious peace award.

The most severe clashes in a ten years between Thai and Cambodian troops erupted in mid-summer, 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 dates back to conflicts regarding colonial-era maps created by French cartographers. Historic shrines along the frontier are claimed by both sides.

International news agency contributed to this report.