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

Rising Border Hostilities

In recent days, Thailand announced it was suspending the truce agreement, accusing Cambodia of planting new explosives along the mutual frontier, including one that allegedly wounded a Thai soldier on duty, who suffered a foot amputation in the explosion.

Since then, one person has been killed and several others wounded by exchanges of fire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, raising concerns of a new round of tit-for-tat fighting.

US Trade Pressure

On Saturday, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson told journalists that a official communication from the U.S. trade office announcing the pause in trade negotiations was received on Friday night.

He quoted the letter as saying that trade negotiations – which are focusing on a 19 percent American duty – could resume once the Thai government reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the joint ceasefire declaration.

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

Trump’s Tariff Threat

Speaking to the press aboard the presidential plane as he flew to Florida on the end of the week, Trump suggested that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in calls with the south-east Asian leaders.

He stated, “I stopped a war just today through the use of tariffs, the threat of tariffs,” adding, “they’re doing great. I think they’re gonna be fine.”

Ceasefire Agreement Background

The President witnessed the finalization of a ceasefire agreement, held in Malaysia this last autumn, and has touted it as one of multiple agreements around the world he says should win him the prestigious peace award.

The most severe clashes in a ten years between Thai and Cambodian troops erupted in mid-summer, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes leaving dozens of people killed and 300,000 displaced.

Longstanding Border Dispute

The two neighboring countries have a longstanding border dispute that originates from conflicts regarding maps from the colonial period drawn up by the French. Historic shrines along the border are claimed by both sides.

Reuters contributed to this report.