US President Donald Trump urged Thailand to honour its ceasefire agreement with Cambodia as tensions on the border increased. He warned that Washington might pause trade negotiations if Thailand did not recommit to the truce that he helped broker.

This warning came soon after Thailand announced it was pulling out of the agreement. Thai officials accused Cambodia of planting new landmines along the border, which they said seriously injured a Thai soldier who lost a foot in the blast.

Border Violence Escalates

Following Thailand’s announcement, violence grew along the frontier. One person has died, and several others have been wounded in fresh gunfights between the two sides. The renewed clashes raised concerns that the ceasefire could collapse only weeks after it was signed.

US Suspends Trade Talks for Now

On Saturday, Thai foreign ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura told reporters that Thailand received a letter from the Office of the US Trade Representative.

The letter said the US was suspending ongoing trade talks, which included discussions about the 19% tariffs on Thai goods. According to him, the letter stated that negotiations would resume only after Thailand confirmed its commitment to the joint ceasefire declaration.

Bangkok Says Negotiations Will Continue

Later on Saturday, another government spokesperson, Siripong Angkasakulkiat, offered a different view. He said the temporary pause happened before a phone call between Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Trump on Friday night.

“Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues,” Siripong clarified, signalling that Thailand expected talks to move forward.

Trump Says Tariff Threat Helped Prevent War

Speaking to journalists on Air Force One on his way to Florida, Trump said he used the “threat of tariffs” during his conversations with Southeast Asian leaders. “I stopped a war just today through the use of tariffs, the threat of tariffs,” Trump said, adding, “they’re doing great. I think they’re gonna be fine.”

After the leaders’ call, Nikorndej said Prime Minister Anutin explained Thailand’s position to Trump, “who expressed understanding regarding the issue.”

Trump personally supervised the signing of the ceasefire agreement in Malaysia this October, making the situation a priority for his administration.

Longstanding Border Conflict

The Thailand–Cambodia dispute is one of the issues Trump hopes to highlight as he campaigns for a Nobel Peace Prize next year. The conflict intensified in July with the worst fighting in ten years. Artillery, airstrikes, and gunfire left dozens dead and forced around 300,000 people from their homes.

The two neighbours have contested their border for decades, partly due to disagreements over colonial-era French maps. They also both claim historic temples located along the frontier, adding to the longstanding tension.