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Washington has exerted influence on Thailand to recommit to a ceasefire agreement with Cambodia, indicating that trade negotiations could be halted as attempts are made to prevent a Trump-mediated ceasefire arrangement from falling apart.

Rising Border Hostilities

In recent days, Thai officials announced it was suspending the truce agreement, alleging Cambodia of laying fresh landmines along the shared border, including one that allegedly injured a Thai military personnel on patrol, who suffered a foot amputation in the explosion.

Since then, one person has been killed and multiple individuals injured by gunfire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, sparking fears of a fresh wave of tit-for-tat fighting.

American Economic Leverage

Over the weekend, a representative from Thailand's foreign office informed reporters that a official communication from the U.S. trade office declaring the pause in trade negotiations was obtained on Friday night.

The spokesperson referenced the letter as stating that discussions on trade – which are focusing on a US tariff of 19% – could restart once the Thai government reaffirmed its commitment to carrying out the mutual truce agreement.

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

Trump’s Tariff Threat

Speaking to the press on Air Force One as he traveled to the Sunshine State on the end of the week, the US leader implied 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’re doing great. I think they’re gonna be fine.”

Truce Deal Origins

Trump oversaw the signing of a ceasefire agreement, held in Malaysia this October, and has touted it as one of multiple agreements around the world he claims should earn him the Nobel Peace prize.

The most severe clashes in a decade between Thai and Cambodian troops erupted in July, with exchanges of fire, shelling and aerial attacks causing numerous fatalities and hundreds of thousands forced to flee.

Longstanding Border Dispute

Thailand and Cambodia have a historic territorial disagreement that dates back to disagreements over colonial-era maps drawn up by the French. Historic shrines along the frontier are disputed by each nation.

Reuters provided input for this coverage.