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The United States has applied pressure on the Thai administration to reaffirm its dedication to a ceasefire agreement with Cambodia, indicating that trade negotiations could be suspended as attempts are made to stop a Donald Trump-brokered peace agreement from falling apart.

Rising Border Hostilities

In recent days, Thai officials announced it was suspending the ceasefire deal, accusing Cambodian forces of laying fresh landmines along the mutual frontier, including one that reportedly injured a Thai military personnel on duty, who suffered a foot amputation in the blast.

Following this, a fatality occurred and multiple individuals injured by exchanges of fire along the border between the two nations, raising concerns of a fresh wave of retaliatory clashes.

US Trade Pressure

Over the weekend, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson told journalists that a official communication from the U.S. trade office announcing the pause in trade negotiations was obtained on the previous evening.

He quoted the letter as saying that trade negotiations – which are focusing on a US tariff of 19% – could resume once Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to carrying out the joint ceasefire declaration.

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

President’s Economic Warning

Speaking to the press on Air Force One as he traveled to the Sunshine State on Friday, Trump suggested 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,” adding, “they’re doing great. I think they’re gonna be fine.”

Truce Deal Origins

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 worst fighting in a decade between military forces of both nations erupted in mid-summer, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes 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 drawn up by the French. Historic shrines along the border are disputed by each nation.

International news agency contributed to this report.