🔗 Share this article

Washington has exerted influence on the Thai administration to reaffirm its dedication to a truce deal with the Cambodian side, warning that trade talks could be halted as attempts are made to prevent a Trump-mediated peace agreement from falling apart.

Rising Border Hostilities

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

Following this, a fatality occurred and several others wounded by exchanges of fire along the border between the two nations, sparking fears of a new round of retaliatory clashes.

American Economic Leverage

Over the weekend, a representative from Thailand's foreign office informed reporters that a letter from the Office of the US Trade Representative declaring the suspension of trade deal talks was received on Friday night.

The spokesperson referenced the letter as saying that trade negotiations – which are addressing a 19 percent American duty – could restart once the Thai government renewed its pledge to carrying out the mutual truce agreement.

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

Trump’s Tariff Threat

Addressing reporters on Air Force One as he flew to Florida on the end of the week, the US leader implied that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in discussions with the ASEAN nation heads.

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 ceasefire agreement, held in Malaysia this last autumn, and has touted it as one of several deals around the world he claims should win him the Nobel Peace prize.

The most severe clashes in a decade between military forces of both nations broke out in mid-summer, with exchanges of fire, shelling and aerial attacks leaving dozens of people killed and hundreds of thousands forced to flee.

Longstanding Border Dispute

The two neighboring countries have a historic territorial disagreement that dates back to conflicts regarding maps from the colonial period created by French cartographers. Ancient temples along the border are disputed by each nation.

Reuters contributed to this report.