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The United States has applied pressure on Thailand to recommit to a ceasefire agreement with Cambodia, stating that trade talks could be halted as efforts are made to prevent a Donald Trump-brokered ceasefire arrangement from falling apart.

Rising Border Hostilities

Earlier this week, Thailand declared it was suspending the ceasefire deal, accusing Cambodia of planting new explosives along the shared border, among them an incident that allegedly wounded a Thai military personnel on duty, who suffered a foot amputation 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 fresh wave of tit-for-tat fighting.

US Trade Pressure

On Saturday, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson told journalists that a official communication from the Office of the US Trade Representative announcing the suspension of trade deal talks was obtained on the previous evening.

The spokesperson referenced the letter as saying that trade negotiations – which are addressing a US tariff of 19% – could restart 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.

President’s Economic Warning

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

Ceasefire Agreement Background

Trump oversaw the signing of a ceasefire agreement, held in Malaysia this October, and has promoted it as one of several deals around the globe he claims should win him the Nobel Peace prize.

The worst fighting in a decade between military forces of both nations erupted in mid-summer, with exchanges of fire, shelling and aerial attacks leaving dozens of people killed and 300,000 displaced.

Longstanding Border Dispute

The two neighboring countries have a longstanding border dispute that dates back to conflicts regarding colonial-era maps drawn up by the French. Ancient temples along the frontier are disputed by each nation.

Reuters contributed to this report.