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

Rising Border Hostilities

In recent days, Thailand declared it was putting on hold the ceasefire deal, alleging Cambodia of planting new explosives along the mutual frontier, including one that reportedly injured a Thai military personnel on patrol, who suffered a foot amputation in the blast.

Since then, one person has been killed and several others wounded by gunfire along the border between the two nations, raising concerns of a fresh wave of tit-for-tat fighting.

US Trade Pressure

Over the weekend, 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 Friday night.

The spokesperson referenced the document as stating that trade negotiations – which are focusing on a 19 percent American duty – could resume once the Thai government reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the mutual truce agreement.

“Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” stated another government spokesperson.

Trump’s Tariff Threat

Addressing reporters aboard the presidential plane as he traveled to the Sunshine State on the end of the week, the US leader suggested that he had employed tariff warnings in calls 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

The President witnessed the finalization of a ceasefire agreement, conducted in Malaysian territory this October, and has touted it as one of several deals around the world he claims should earn him the Nobel Peace prize.

The worst fighting in a ten years between Thai and Cambodian troops broke out in mid-summer, with exchanges of fire, shelling and aerial attacks causing numerous fatalities and hundreds of thousands forced to flee.

Historic Frontier Conflict

Thailand and Cambodia have a longstanding border dispute that originates from disagreements over maps from the colonial period drawn up by the French. Ancient temples along the border are claimed by both sides.

Reuters provided input for this coverage.