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The United States has applied pressure on Thailand to reaffirm its dedication to a truce deal with Cambodia, stating that trade talks could be paused as attempts are made to stop a Trump-mediated peace agreement from falling apart.

Border Tensions Escalate

Earlier this week, Thailand declared it was putting on hold the truce agreement, alleging Cambodian forces of planting new explosives along the shared border, including one that allegedly injured a Thai military personnel on duty, who lost a foot in the blast.

Following this, a fatality occurred and several others wounded by gunfire along the border between the two nations, sparking fears of a new round of tit-for-tat fighting.

American Economic Leverage

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

He quoted the document as stating that trade negotiations – which are addressing a 19 percent American duty – could restart once Thailand renewed its pledge to carrying out the mutual truce agreement.

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

President’s Economic Warning

Speaking to the press aboard the presidential plane 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 ASEAN nation heads.

He stated, “Today, I prevented a conflict using tariffs, the menace of duties,” continuing, “they are performing well. I believe they will be okay.”

Ceasefire Agreement Background

Trump oversaw the signing of a peace deal, conducted in Malaysian territory this October, and has promoted it as one of several deals around the globe he claims should earn him the prestigious peace award.

The worst fighting in a decade between Thai and Cambodian troops erupted in mid-summer, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes leaving dozens of people killed and 300,000 displaced.

Historic Frontier Conflict

Thailand and Cambodia have a historic territorial disagreement that dates back to conflicts regarding maps from the colonial period created by French cartographers. Historic shrines along the border are disputed by each nation.

International news agency provided input for this coverage.