Malaysiaâs High Minister Anwar Ibrahim, left, and U.S. President Donald Trump, proper, watch as Thailandâs High Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, 2d left, and Cambodiaâs High Minister Hun Manet grasp up a record after the ceremonial signing of a ceasefire settlement between Thailand and Cambodia at the sidelines of the forty seventh Affiliation of Southeast Asian International locations (ASEAN) summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025.
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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia â Thailand and Cambodia signed an expanded ceasefire settlement on Sunday throughout a rite attended by means of U.S. President Donald Trump, whose threats of financial force prodded the 2 countries to halt skirmishes alongside their disputed border previous this 12 months.
Thailand will liberate Cambodian prisoners and Cambodia will start retreating heavy artillery as a part of the primary segment of the deal. Regional observers will observe the location to make sure preventing does not restart.
âWe did one thing that numerous other folks mentioned could not be achieved,â Trump mentioned. Cambodian High Minister Hun Manet referred to as it a âhistorical day,â and Thai High Minister Anutin Charnvirakul mentioned the settlement creates âthe development blocks for an enduring peace.â
The rite used to be Trumpâs first match after arriving at the once a year summit of the Affiliation of Southeast Asian International locations, hosted in Kuala Lumpur. The commute, which can proceed with visits to Japan and South Korea and a possible assembly with Chinese language chief Xi Jinping, is a chance for Trump to burnish his recognition as a world dealmaker at a time when his price lists have scrambled the global financial system and he is feuding with Democrats over a central authority shutdown again house.
Trump touched down within the Malaysian capital in a while earlier than 0200 GMT, the place he carried out his trademark marketing campaign path dance with native performers and waved an American flag in a single hand and a Malaysian flag within the different.
The president signed financial agreements with Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia, a few of them geared toward expanding business involving important minerals. The U.S. needs to depend much less on China, which has restricted exports of key elements in era production.
âIt is crucial that we cooperate as prepared companions with every different to be sure that we will be able to have clean provide chains, safe provide chains, for the standard of lifestyles, for our other folks and safety,â mentioned U.S. Industry Consultant Jamieson Greer.
Trump reengages with a key area of the arena
The president attended this summit handiest as soon as throughout his first time period, and Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth gave the impression unfamiliar with ASEAN throughout his affirmation listening to in January.
However this 12 monthsâs match used to be an opportunity for Trump to reengage with a selection of countries that has a mixed $3.8 trillion financial system and 680 million other folks.
âAmerica is with you 100%, and we intend to be a robust spouse and good friend for lots of generations to return,â Trump mentioned. He described his opposite numbers as âimpressive leadersâ and mentioned, âthe whole lot you contact turns to gold.â
The summit additionally allowed Trump to play international peacemaker with Thailand and Cambodia, that have competing territorial claims that lead to periodic violence alongside their border. One of the vital worst fashionable preventing between the 2 nations happened over 5 days in July, killing dozens and displacing masses of hundreds of other folks, probably the most worst fashionable preventing between the 2 nations.
Trump threatened, on the time, to withhold business agreements except the preventing stopped in a show of financial leverage credited with spurring negotiations. A shaky truce has persevered since then.
âThe truth that Trump used to be preserving the tariff card used to be in fact very, very vital,â mentioned Ou Virak, president of Phnom Penhâs Long run Discussion board suppose tank. âThat is more than likely the principle explanation why, if no longer the one explanation why, however certainly the principle explanation why the 2 aspects agreed instantly to the ceasefire.â
Now, he mentioned, âthere is a rite for Trump to be in entrance of camerasâ so he can also be ânoticed because the champion that brings an finish to wars and conflicts,â giving him âextra ammunition for his bid for Nobel Peace Prize.â
Trump has explicitly campaigned for the consideration, steadily including to an inventory of conflicts that he both helped get to the bottom of or claims to have ended.
U.S. President Donald Trump attends the ceremonial signing of a ceasefire settlement between Thailand and Cambodia at the sidelines of the forty seventh Affiliation of Southeast Asian International locations (ASEAN) summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025.
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Malaysian High Minister Anwar Ibrahim praised the settlement between Thailand and Cambodia throughout opening remarks on the summit, pronouncing, âit reminds us that reconciliation isnât concession, however an act of braveness.â
Thai international ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura described the deal on Saturday as a âjoint declarationâ that can display Thailand and Cambodia âare dedicated to renewing their family members.â
âIt isnât an lead to itself,â Nikorndej mentioned. âPaintings has simply begun.â
Price lists are in center of attention on Trumpâs commute
Trump is anticipated to take a seat down with Brazilian President Luiz InĂĄcio Lula da Silva whilst he is in Kuala Lumpur, however no longer Canadian High Minister Mark Carney. The U.S. chief is offended with Canada on account of a tv advert protesting his price lists, and on his approach to the summit, introduced on social media he would hike price lists on Canada on account of it.
Some other business struggle is entrance and heart on Trumpâs commute â this one, with China. Trump advised newshounds touring with him on Air Power One who he used to be constructive his assembly with Xi, anticipated to happen in South Korea, may yield development on a variety of problems. Fentanyl trafficking and soybean gross sales are amongst Trumpâs priorities.
âI believe weâve got a in reality excellent likelihood of constructing an overly complete deal,â Trump mentioned. âI would like our farmers to be sorted. And he needs issues additionally.â
It continues to be noticed whether or not Trumpâs dealmaking addresses longstanding problems or places them off for every other day.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent steered Sunday that Washington and Beijing may step again from their disagreement as an alternative of pushing ahead with upper price lists by means of The united states and export restrictions on uncommon earth parts by means of China.
When requested if the 2 nations may lengthen the business truce from previous this 12 months, Bessent mentioned: âIâd say sure.â Alternatively, he emphasised that the general determination could be as much as Trump.
Trump has expressed self belief in regards to the prospect of finalizing business agreements with Japan and South Korea, two longstanding allies and buying and selling companions, throughout the commute.
âNow we have offers with numerous other folks and they are excellent offers,â he advised newshounds touring with him on Air Power One.
One chief who used to be absent from the summit in Kuala Lumpur is Indian High Minister Narendra Modi. Even though he used to be shut with Trump throughout his first time period, the connection has been extra annoying in recent times. Trump brought about inflammation by means of boasting that he settled a up to date war between India and Pakistan, and he has higher price lists on India for its acquire of Russian oil.
