Kuala Lumpur: US President Donald Trump attended the signing ceremony of an expanded ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This event marked the first stop on Trump’s Asia tour, which may include discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
According to United Nations, Thailand and Cambodia formalized an expanded ceasefire agreement during a ceremony attended by Trump. His threats of economic pressure played a significant role in prompting the two nations to cease skirmishes along their disputed border earlier this year. As part of the agreement, Thailand will release Cambodian prisoners, and Cambodia will begin withdrawing heavy artillery. Regional observers will monitor the situation to ensure that fighting does not resume.
Trump is expected to sign agreements with Malaysia involving trade and critical minerals later in the day. The US has been working to diversify its supply chains amid China’s restrictions on exports of key components used in technology manufacturing. The president’s participation in the ASEAN summit marks his second attendance, with the first occurring during his initial term. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, during his confirmation hearing in January, appeared unfamiliar with ASEAN.
This year’s event provided Trump with an opportunity to showcase his role as a global peacemaker. The conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, which erupted in July, resulted in numerous casualties and displaced hundreds of thousands. The two countries have longstanding territorial disputes, with violence periodically occurring along their border. Trump’s threat to withhold trade agreements unless the fighting ceased was credited with spurring negotiations, leading to a persistent but shaky truce.
Following the ceasefire agreement, Trump also signed separate economic deals with Cambodia and Thailand. Ou Virak, president of Phnom Penh’s Future Forum think tank, emphasized the significance of Trump’s economic leverage in the negotiations. The ceremony offered Trump a platform to present himself as a peacemaker, bolstering his campaign for a Nobel Peace Prize, which he has actively pursued by highlighting conflicts he has helped resolve.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim commended the agreement during the summit’s opening remarks, emphasizing that reconciliation requires courage rather than concession. Thai foreign ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura described the deal as a joint declaration of renewed relations between Thailand and Cambodia, noting that the work has only just begun.
During his stay in Kuala Lumpur, Trump is also expected to meet with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, while a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is not anticipated. Trump is displeased with Canada due to a television ad criticizing his tariffs and announced plans to increase tariffs on Canada as a result.
A trade dispute with China is also central to Trump’s trip. He expressed optimism about his upcoming meeting with Xi in South Korea, hoping to address issues such as fentanyl trafficking and soybean sales. Trump expressed confidence in finalizing trade agreements with Japan and South Korea, key allies and trading partners, during the trip.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be absent from the summit in Kuala Lumpur. Despite a previously close relationship, tensions have risen between Modi and Trump. Trump’s claims of resolving a conflict between India and Pakistan and increased tariffs on India due to its Russian oil purchases have strained ties.