President Donald Trump witnessed the signing of an expanded ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia on Sunday, building upon the peace deal he negotiated in July 2025 that ended their devastating five-day border conflict. The ceremony took place at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, marking a significant diplomatic achievement for the Trump administration's engagement in Southeast Asia.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet formalized the enhanced peace accord in the presence of Trump, who arrived in Malaysia specifically to oversee this historic moment. The expanded agreement establishes concrete mechanisms for implementation, including the deployment of ASEAN observer teams to monitor compliance along the disputed border.
Trump Witnesses Expanded Ceasefire Signing in Malaysia
The signing ceremony occurred shortly after Trump's arrival at the 47th ASEAN Summit, where he emphasized the global significance of the peace accord. Trump described the agreement as capable of "saving millions of lives," underscoring his administration's commitment to resolving regional conflicts through diplomatic pressure and economic incentives.
Malaysia's Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan confirmed Trump's pivotal role in facilitating the negotiations, noting that this peace agreement follows Trump's mediation of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire earlier in October. The back-to-back diplomatic successes have positioned Trump as a key broker in international conflict resolution.
The expanded ceasefire builds upon the initial truce reached on July 28, 2025, in Putrajaya, Malaysia, when Trump directly contacted the leaders of both nations. He warned them that continued hostilities would jeopardize their ongoing trade negotiations with Washington, effectively leveraging economic consequences to secure peace.
The July Border Conflict: 48 Dead, 300,000 Displaced
The five-day military confrontation between Thailand and Cambodia erupted on July 24, 2025, resulting in at least 48 confirmed deaths and the displacement of more than 300,000 civilians on both sides. This marked the deadliest fighting between the two nations in over a decade, with hospitals, gas stations, and residential areas targeted during the exchanges.
According to UN officials, Thailand suffered 19 deaths—13 civilians and 6 soldiers—with 59 people wounded. Cambodia reported 29 fatalities, including Major General Duong Samneang, commander of the 7th Division, who was killed by an artillery strike.
Thai authorities evacuated approximately 149,264 civilians from eight border districts, while Cambodia relocated 134,707 residents from four border provinces under emergency conditions. The conflict caused significant infrastructure damage, with Thai hospitals alone suffering losses totaling 285 million baht (US$8.78 million).
Tariff Diplomacy: How Trump Pressured Peace
Trump employed aggressive tariff diplomacy to compel both nations to the negotiating table, threatening to impose higher trade barriers if the fighting continued. His intervention came as Thailand and Cambodia faced potential economic isolation from their largest trading partner.
Following the July ceasefire, Trump reduced tariffs on both countries to 19 percent as a diplomatic incentive, demonstrating his willingness to reward cooperation. This carrot-and-stick approach proved effective in ending the immediate violence and establishing a foundation for the expanded agreement signed in October.
Key Terms of the Expanded Agreement
The enhanced ceasefire agreement signed on October 26, 2025, includes several concrete measures designed to ensure lasting peace between the two Southeast Asian neighbors. The joint declaration reaffirms both nations' commitment to peaceful settlement of disputes and respect for international boundaries.
One critical component establishes the Terms of Reference for an ASEAN Observer Team (AOT), comprising personnel from member states tasked with monitoring full implementation of the ceasefire. Both governments have called on ASEAN nations to provide appropriate support for the AOT's mission.
Prisoner Release and Weapons Withdrawal
Under the expanded agreement, Thailand committed to releasing 18 Cambodian soldiers currently held as prisoners of war. This prisoner exchange represents a significant confidence-building measure between the two nations, addressing a contentious issue that has complicated reconciliation efforts.
Both countries agreed to begin removing heavy weapons from the disputed border areas, including artillery systems and multiple rocket launchers deployed during the July conflict. The demilitarization process will occur under ASEAN supervision, with specific timelines established for withdrawal.
Trade Deals Accompany Peace Accord
Trump simultaneously announced three significant economic agreements alongside the peace ceremony, linking regional security to expanded commercial partnerships. The United States signed reciprocal trade deals with both Cambodia and Malaysia, while finalizing a critical minerals agreement with Thailand.
The critical minerals partnership with Thailand aims to reduce American dependence on Chinese rare earth supplies, which currently account for 70 percent of global processing capacity. These minerals—including lithium, nickel, and rare earths—are essential for electric vehicles, batteries, and defense systems.
A senior White House official confirmed that the agreements will "further reshape the global economic order" and create high-paying jobs while advancing American reindustrialization. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer had been actively negotiating with Cambodia throughout October, achieving significant progress in breaking down longstanding trade barriers.
Historical Context: Decades of Border Disputes
The Thailand-Cambodia border conflict stems from long-standing territorial disputes along their 817-kilometer land boundary, with tensions periodically erupting into violence since the early 2000s. The contested areas include several ancient Khmer archaeological sites claimed by both nations, including the Prasat Ta Moan Thon temple complex.
Periodic skirmishes have occurred since 2013, but the 2025 confrontation represented the most serious escalation in decades. The immediate trigger came in February 2025, when Thai police prohibited Cambodian tourists from singing their national anthem at the disputed Ta Moan Thon temple site.
The 1907 French Colonial Map Legacy
The border dispute traces back to a 1907 map drawn under French colonial rule that established the boundary between French Indochina (Cambodia) and Siam (Thailand). Competing interpretations of this colonial-era demarcation have fueled nationalist tensions and territorial claims for over a century.
Cambodia officially nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize on August 7, 2025, recognizing his mediation efforts in resolving the conflict. This nomination reflects the regional significance of Trump's intervention and the potential for lasting peace between the neighboring nations.
ASEAN Summit and Regional Implications
The peace agreement signing coincided with the formal admission of East Timor (Timor-Leste) as ASEAN's 11th member state, marking the regional bloc's first expansion since the 1990s. Both developments underscore ASEAN's growing role in facilitating conflict resolution and regional integration.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the Joint Declaration between Cambodia and Thailand as a crucial step toward consolidating the July ceasefire. The international community has expressed strong support for ASEAN's observer mission and the confidence-building measures outlined in the expanded agreement.
Trump's participation in the ASEAN Summit represents his first major trip to the region since returning to office in January 2025. The visit precedes his scheduled meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea later this week, where trade tensions and regional security will dominate discussions.
The Thailand-Cambodia peace expansion demonstrates Trump's approach to international diplomacy, combining economic leverage with direct engagement to resolve protracted conflicts. As ASEAN observer teams deploy along the border and heavy weapons are withdrawn, the region moves closer to lasting stability after months of devastating violence.
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