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Washington has exerted influence on Thailand to recommit to a ceasefire agreement with Cambodia, stating that trade negotiations could be paused as efforts are made to prevent a Donald Trump-brokered peace agreement from collapsing.

Border Tensions Escalate

Earlier this week, Thai officials declared it was suspending the truce agreement, alleging Cambodia of laying fresh landmines along the shared border, including one that reportedly injured a Thai military personnel on patrol, who suffered a foot amputation in the blast.

Since then, a fatality occurred and multiple individuals injured by gunfire along the border between the two nations, raising concerns of a fresh wave of tit-for-tat fighting.

American Economic Leverage

Over the weekend, a representative from Thailand's foreign office told journalists that a letter from the U.S. trade office announcing the suspension of trade deal talks was obtained on Friday night.

The spokesperson referenced the letter as saying that trade negotiations – which are addressing a 19 percent American duty – could resume once the Thai government reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the joint ceasefire declaration.

“Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” stated a different official representative.

Trump’s Tariff Threat

Speaking to the press on Air Force One as he traveled to the Sunshine State on Friday, the US leader implied that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in discussions with the south-east Asian leaders.

The US president said, “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, held in Malaysia this last autumn, and has promoted it as one of several deals around the globe he says should win him the prestigious peace award.

The most severe clashes in a decade between military forces of both nations broke out in mid-summer, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes causing numerous fatalities and hundreds of thousands forced to flee.

Longstanding Border Dispute

The two neighboring countries have a historic territorial disagreement that dates back to conflicts regarding colonial-era maps created by French cartographers. Historic shrines along the frontier are claimed by both sides.

International news agency provided input for this coverage.