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The United States has applied pressure on Thailand to reaffirm its dedication to a truce deal with the Cambodian side, warning that trade talks could be halted as attempts are made to stop a Donald Trump-brokered ceasefire arrangement from collapsing.

Border Tensions Escalate

Earlier this week, Thai officials declared it was putting on hold the truce agreement, accusing Cambodia of laying fresh landmines along the mutual frontier, including one that reportedly wounded a Thai soldier on patrol, who suffered a foot amputation in the blast.

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.

American Economic Leverage

On Saturday, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson told journalists that a official communication from the Office of the US Trade Representative declaring the pause in trade negotiations was received on Friday night.

The spokesperson referenced the document as saying that discussions on trade – which are addressing a 19 percent American duty – could restart once Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to carrying out the mutual truce agreement.

“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, the US leader implied that he had employed tariff warnings in calls with the ASEAN nation heads.

The US president said, “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 peace deal, conducted in Malaysian territory this October, and has promoted it as one of several deals around the globe he claims should win him the prestigious peace award.

The most severe clashes in a ten years between military forces of both nations broke out in July, with exchanges of fire, shelling and aerial attacks leaving dozens of people killed and 300,000 displaced.

Historic Frontier Conflict

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

Reuters contributed to this report.