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Washington has exerted influence on Thailand to reaffirm its dedication to a ceasefire agreement with the Cambodian side, warning that trade negotiations could be halted as efforts are made to prevent a Donald Trump-brokered ceasefire arrangement from collapsing.

Rising Border Hostilities

In recent days, Thailand announced it was putting on hold the ceasefire deal, alleging Cambodian forces of laying fresh landmines along the shared border, among them an incident that reportedly injured a Thai soldier on duty, who lost a foot in the explosion.

Following this, a fatality occurred and several others wounded by exchanges of fire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, raising concerns of a new round of tit-for-tat fighting.

American Economic Leverage

Over the weekend, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson informed reporters that a letter from the U.S. trade office announcing the pause in trade negotiations was received on the previous evening.

He quoted the letter as saying that trade negotiations – which are focusing on a US tariff of 19% – could restart 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 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’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 last autumn, and has touted it as one of multiple agreements around the globe he says should win him the Nobel Peace prize.

The worst fighting in a ten years between Thai and Cambodian troops erupted in mid-summer, with exchanges of fire, shelling and aerial attacks leaving dozens of people killed and hundreds of thousands forced to flee.

Historic Frontier Conflict

The two neighboring countries have a historic territorial disagreement that originates from disagreements over colonial-era maps created by French cartographers. Ancient temples along the border are disputed by each nation.

Reuters contributed to this report.