Leaders of Thailand and Cambodia will meet on Monday to try to stop the worst fighting between their countries in over ten years. The meeting is happening after U.S. President Donald Trump warned he might put trade taxes (tariffs) on them if they don’t agree to peace. Thailand’s Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet will talk at 3 p.m. in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The meeting will happen at the office of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is leading the talks as the current head of ASEAN (a group of Southeast Asian countries), according to the Associated Press.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that American officials are also in Malaysia to help with the peace talks, Reuters reported. “We want this conflict to end as soon as possible,” said U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He added that U.S. officials are already present in Malaysia to support the peace talks between Thailand and Cambodia.

These talks are the first since the violent clashes began on July 24. They come just two days after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that both countries had agreed to negotiate a ceasefire quickly. Trump had separate phone calls with Thailand’s Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Saturday. During the calls, he warned that the U.S. would not continue trade agreements with either country if the fighting didn’t stop.

This warning pushed both sides into urgent diplomatic action. By Sunday, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had helped secure an agreement for the leaders of both nations to meet in person. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also spoke with the foreign ministers of Thailand and Cambodia. He urged them to reduce tensions immediately and assured them of continued U.S. support in the peace process.

Just before meeting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump spoke to reporters and confirmed that he had called the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia. “I called both prime ministers and told them, ‘We won’t do a trade deal unless you stop the war.’ A lot of people have died,” Trump said. “By the time I hung up, I think they got the message and now want to make peace.”

As Trump’s deadline of August 1 for new trade tariffs gets closer, Thailand is under pressure. It relies heavily on trade and doesn’t want to upset the U.S., especially while it’s trying to lower a proposed 36% tax on its exports to America. Trump, who once claimed credit for calming tensions between India and Pakistan using trade pressure, is now using the same method in Southeast Asia. On Saturday, after speaking to both leaders, he posted on social media: “Once peace is achieved, I look forward to finalising trade deals with both countries.”

Thailand’s trade talks with the US

Thailand has been trying to improve trade relations with the U.S. by offering better access for American products. Right now, Thailand has a $46 billion trade surplus with the U.S. That means it sells much more to the U.S. than it buys. Other nearby countries like Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam have already signed new trade deals with America. Even though Thailand wants to protect its economy, it is still taking a firm stand in the talks. Thai officials say a ceasefire must include pulling troops back and stopping the use of deadly weapons. Cambodia, on the other hand, says it is ready to stop fighting unconditionally.

The conflict started after months of tension at the border and has now turned deadly. More than 30 people have died, and over 150,000 civilians have been forced to leave their homes. Thailand reported 22 deaths, including 8 soldiers. Cambodia reported 13 deaths, including 5 soldiers. Thailand and Cambodia have a long history of border disputes. The last major one happened in 2011 and also turned violent. One of the key flashpoints is the Preah Vihear temple, an old Hindu temple both countries claim as their own, based on past colonial-era borders.