BANGKOK: Thailand will proceed with negotiations on a reciprocal trade deal with the United States, its government said on Saturday (Nov 15), stressing that the discussions will remain separate from its border dispute with Cambodia.Bangkok had earlier said Washington was suspending talks until Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to a US-brokered ceasefire with Cambodia.The temporary halt came before a call between Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and US President Donald Trump late on Friday, government spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat said in a statement."Tariff negotiations will continue and remain separate from border issues," Siripong said. He added that Trump had told Anutin that the United States did not wish to interfere in the Thailand–Cambodia matter under existing bilateral mechanisms.Trump says he 'stopped a war' by preserving a ceasefire between Cambodia and ThailandTwo men charged in Singapore over scam offences after being deported from Thailand and CambodiaMalaysia offers to host new peace talks as Thai-Cambodia border tensions flareTRADE TALKS TO REMAIN SEPARATE FROM BORDER TENSIONSWashington and Bangkok last month announced a framework for reciprocal trade that would see the United States maintain a 19 per cent tariff on Thai products while identifying goods where tariffs could be adjusted or cut to zero.A letter from the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) informing Thailand of the suspension was received on Friday night, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura earlier told reporters.He quoted the letter as saying that negotiations could resume once Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to the joint ceasefire declaration with Cambodia.Trump spoke separately with the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia on Friday after border tensions re-escalated this week. He said he believed both sides were "going to be fine".Thailand this week suspended the ceasefire and demanded an apology over allegations that Cambodia had laid fresh landmines that injured Thai soldiers, which Phnom Penh denies.Trump made no mention of the reported USTR letter suspending talks, and there was no reference to it on the USTR or White House websites.In a Facebook post after the call, Anutin said he had asked Trump for a cut in the 19 per cent tariff on Thai goods. Trump replied that the rate was already low but said he would consider the request if landmine removal along the border was completed quickly.Sign up for our newslettersGet our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inboxSubscribe hereGet the CNA appStay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best storiesDownload hereGet WhatsApp alertsJoin our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat appJoin here