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The United States has applied pressure on the Thai administration to recommit to a ceasefire agreement with the Cambodian side, indicating that trade talks could be paused as attempts are made to stop a Trump-mediated ceasefire arrangement from collapsing.

Rising Border Hostilities

In recent days, Thai officials announced it was suspending the ceasefire deal, alleging Cambodia of planting new explosives along the mutual frontier, including one that allegedly wounded a Thai military personnel on patrol, who suffered a foot amputation in the explosion.

Since then, one person has been killed and several others wounded by gunfire 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 Office of the US Trade Representative announcing the suspension of trade deal talks was received on the previous evening.

He quoted the document as stating that discussions on trade – which are focusing on a 19 percent American duty – could restart once Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to carrying out the mutual truce agreement.

“Trade talks are ongoing and distinct from frontier matters,” stated another government spokesperson.

President’s Economic Warning

Addressing reporters 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 discussions with the south-east Asian leaders.

He stated, “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

The President witnessed the finalization of a peace deal, conducted in Malaysian territory this last autumn, and has promoted it as one of multiple agreements around the world he says should earn him the prestigious peace award.

The most severe clashes in a decade 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 dates back to conflicts regarding maps from the colonial period created by French cartographers. Historic shrines along the border are claimed by both sides.

Reuters provided input for this coverage.