(MENAFN) Thailand announced Saturday that its ongoing trade discussions with the US will continue as planned and will not be tied to the latest spike in tensions with Cambodia along their shared border.

Earlier in the day, according to reports, the Thai Foreign Ministry noted that Washington had temporarily halted the negotiations until Bangkok confirmed its commitment to a recently arranged ceasefire with Cambodia. However, government spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat later clarified that US President Donald Trump had assured the Thai prime minister that the US “does not wish to interfere in the Thailand-Cambodia issue” within the current bilateral framework. Siripong emphasized that “The tariff negotiations will move forward and remain separate from border issues.”

These remarks followed a late-night phone conversation between Trump and Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Friday. Siripong’s announcement came shortly after a Foreign Ministry statement said Thailand had received a letter from the US Deputy Trade Representative informing Bangkok of a temporary freeze in talks under the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade Framework.

Last month, both governments unveiled a new structure aimed at maintaining a 19% tariff on Thai goods while outlining items that might see future adjustments.

The renewed attention to trade comes amid heightened tensions after a deadly cross-border incident on Wednesday that left one civilian dead and three injured. Each country has accused the other of provoking the clash. The confrontation occurred only days after Thailand paused its participation in a peace pact signed last month in Kuala Lumpur with the involvement of Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Cambodia and Thailand had previously agreed to an unconditional ceasefire on July 28 during a trilateral meeting hosted by Anwar, following several weeks of escalating hostilities.

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