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The United States has applied pressure on the Thai administration to reaffirm its dedication to a ceasefire agreement with Cambodia, warning that trade talks could be halted as attempts are made to prevent a Trump-mediated ceasefire arrangement from collapsing.

Rising Border Hostilities

In recent days, Thai officials announced it was putting on hold the ceasefire deal, alleging Cambodia of planting new explosives along the mutual frontier, among them an incident that allegedly wounded a Thai military personnel on duty, who suffered a foot amputation in the blast.

Since then, one person has been killed and multiple individuals injured by gunfire along the Thai-Cambodia frontier, raising concerns of a new round of tit-for-tat fighting.

American Economic Leverage

On Saturday, a representative from Thailand's foreign office told journalists that a official communication from the Office of the US Trade Representative announcing the suspension of trade deal talks was received on Friday night.

He quoted the document as saying that discussions on trade – which are addressing a 19 percent American duty – 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 a different official representative.

President’s Economic Warning

Speaking to the press aboard the presidential plane as he flew to Florida on Friday, the US leader suggested that he had used the “threat of tariffs” in calls 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.”

Truce Deal Origins

The President witnessed the finalization of a peace deal, conducted in Malaysian territory this October, and has touted it as one of several deals around the globe he says should win him the Nobel Peace prize.

The worst fighting in a decade between Thai and Cambodian troops broke out in July, with gunfire, artillery and airstrikes causing numerous fatalities and 300,000 displaced.

Historic Frontier Conflict

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

International news agency contributed to this report.