Trump Hails Historic Peace Expansion Between Thailand and Cambodia at ASEAN Summit
In a dramatic display of diplomacy and persistence, U.S. President Donald Trump witnessed the signing of an expanded peace accord between Thailand and Cambodia on Sunday, months after he brokered the original ceasefire that ended a violent border conflict. The agreement was formalized during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul signing the new pact before world leaders and media.
The peace expansion marks a crucial turning point in regional stability following months of unrest that left dozens dead and forced hundreds of thousands from their homes. Trump, who played a pivotal role in negotiating the initial ceasefire earlier this year, leveraged economic pressure — including threats of increased tariffs — to push both nations toward peace. His involvement, while controversial, was credited with breaking the diplomatic stalemate that had plagued Southeast Asia for years.
Under the terms of the new agreement, Thailand will release 18 Cambodian soldiers currently held in custody, and both nations will begin removing heavy weaponry from their shared border. Analysts say the accord not only strengthens U.S. influence in the region but also signals a new era of cooperation between two long-feuding neighbors. As Trump’s Asia tour continues, his team has hinted that similar peace initiatives may be on the horizon — further solidifying his reputation as a global dealmaker intent on leaving a lasting diplomatic legacy.
