Trump hails ‘historic’ peace deal between Thailand, Cambodia, expands US role in Southeast Asia

By Anjali Sharma

WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump on Sunday presided over the signing of what he described as a “historic” peace agreement between Thailand and Cambodia called it a “monumental step” toward regional stability.

Trump and Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim hosted Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet for the signing of the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords, a joint declaration to end decades of border tensions.

Trump said “This is a momentous day for Southeast Asia”.

He said “A monumental step that could save millions of lives. Making peace deals is something I love to do and something I’m good at.”

Media reports said that under the accord, Thailand and Cambodia will establish joint border observer teams and begin withdrawing weaponry along the frontier “promptly.”

Thailand also announced the release of 18 Cambodian soldiers detained since July.

Trump hailed the deal as “historic,” Thailand’s foreign minister called it “a pathway to peace.” Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet praised Trump’s “decisive leadership” and reaffirmed Cambodia’s commitment to implementing the agreement.

“On behalf of the Cambodian people, I wish to express my deepest gratitude to President Donald Trump for his decisive leadership and steadfast commitment to supporting lasting peace between Cambodia and Thailand, and for his tireless efforts to make it a reality,” Hun Manet said during the signing ceremony.

Armed clashes between Cambodian and Thai forces erupted on July 24 along their shared border, resulting in more than a hundred casualties.

The mediation efforts in Malaysia on August 7, both countries agreed to a ceasefire and pledged not to reinforce troops along the border paved the way for the peace deal signing.

Malaysian troops will be deployed to ensure the ceasefire holds, and heavy weapons and landmines will be removed along the border.

Thailand and the US issued a joint statement outlined a framework for reciprocal trade, targeting a year-end deadline for concluding negotiations.

Trump also announced a series of trade and defence initiatives across Southeast Asia, including reciprocal trade agreements with Malaysia and Cambodia, and frameworks for future trade pacts with Thailand and Vietnam.

Malaysia agreed to reduce or eliminate tariffs on nearly all US exports and remove non-tariff barriers such as discriminatory vehicle and regulatory practices.

Cambodia committed to abolish all tariffs on US goods, recognize US regulatory standards, and eliminate redundant testing requirements.

Thailand and Vietnam agreed to frameworks to remove up to 99 per cent of tariffs on industrial, agricultural, and food products.

Trump and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced deals worth billions, including: up to USD 3.4 billion annually in US LNG exports to Petronas; USD 42.6 million annually in US coal sales to TNB Fuel; USD 119 million in US telecommunications purchases; purchase of 30 Boeing aircraft, with an option for 30 more; and over USD 150 billion in US semiconductors, aerospace, and data center equipment by strengthening US–Malaysia relations.

US and Malaysia signed MoUs on Critical Minerals and Maritime Security and elevated bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Malaysia and the Philippines joined the Artemis Accords, bring signatories to 59 nations.

Trump reengaged with Cambodia also met Prime Minister Hun Manet for the first US–Cambodia leader-level engagement since he took office.

US will lift its arms embargo, restart the ANGKOR SENTINEL defence exercise, and expand training for Cambodian officers at institutions such as West Point and the Air Force Academy.

Cambodia and the US agreed to intensify cooperation against transnational crime, including drug trafficking and online scams costing Americans over USD 10 billion annually.

Trump secured enhanced cooperation on cybercrime and financial investigations and signed a Critical Minerals MoU to diversify and secure global supply chains, countering anti-competitive practices like dumping and heavy subsidies.

“The eight wars my administration has ended in eight months there’s never been anything like it,” Trump said.

“It’s not a hobby it’s something serious, but it’s something I’m good at and something I love to do.”

The Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords represent a landmark effort in conflict resolution in Southeast Asia, though the durability of the agreement will be tested in the coming months, media stated.