Cambodia and Thailand signed an expanded ceasefire agreement Sunday — a deal President Donald Trump helped broker over the summer to end their long-running border conflict.
The signing took place at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, marking one of Trump’s first major diplomatic achievements on his Asia tour.
Trump’s Peace Deal
Trump threatened higher tariffs on both nations earlier this year to pressure them into ending the fighting, which had killed dozens and displaced hundreds of thousands.
“We did something that a lot of people said couldn’t be done,” Trump said after the signing ceremony.
The agreement requires Thailand to release 18 Cambodian soldiers held prisoner and for both sides to begin removing heavy weapons from the border.
Regional Leaders Praise Trump
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet called it a “historic day,” while Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the pact “builds the foundation for lasting peace.”
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim praised Trump’s diplomacy, saying it “reminds us that reconciliation is not concession, but an act of courage.”
The ASEAN audience gave a standing ovation as the leaders exchanged signatures.
Diplomatic Momentum
The ceasefire ceremony was Trump’s first official event after arriving in Malaysia.
Earlier in the day, he landed in Kuala Lumpur and performed his trademark dance with local performers during the welcome ceremony.
Trump waved both the American and Malaysian flags as cheering crowds looked on.
Malaysian media widely broadcast the moment, calling it a symbol of “friendship and energy.”
Economic Agreements
After the peace deal, Trump reached separate economic agreements with both Cambodia and Thailand.
The pacts include commitments to strengthen trade, infrastructure development, and agricultural exports.
Trump also signed a critical minerals agreement with Malaysia, expanding U.S. access to rare earth elements vital to technology manufacturing.
Supply Chain Strategy
The administration said the mineral deal aims to reduce American dependence on China for key technology components.
A joint U.S.-Malaysia statement said the agreement “will strengthen our bilateral economic relationship and provide unprecedented market access for both nations’ exporters.”
The statement added that it “builds upon the 2004 United States–Malaysia Trade and Investment Framework Agreement.”
