Thailand and Cambodia sign expanded ceasefire as Trump begins Asia tour at ASEAN summit

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet signed an expanded ceasefire agreement on 26 October, 2025, during a ceremony in Kuala Lumpur.

The event, held on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit, was overseen by US President Donald Trump, who arrived in Malaysia earlier in the day for a diplomatic and trade-focused tour of Asia.

The ceasefire builds on an initial truce signed three months ago, following a deadly five-day conflict in July. At least 48 people were killed and around 300,000 civilians were temporarily displaced during the clashes, which saw exchanges of rockets and heavy artillery across the border.

“This declaration, if fully implemented, will provide the building blocks for a lasting peace,” said Hun Manet at the signing ceremony. “Our border communities have been divided by conflict, and innocent civilians have suffered immense losses.”

Trump, who helped broker the original ceasefire in July by urging both nations to end hostilities or risk halting trade negotiations with Washington, praised the agreement.

“The United States will have robust commerce and cooperation, transactions, lots of them, with both nations, as long as they live in peace,” he said.

The new ceasefire terms include commitments by both countries to withdraw heavy weapons from border areas, jointly remove landmines, and for Thailand to release 18 detained Cambodian soldiers.

Anutin, who almost missed the ceremony following the death of Thailand’s Queen Mother Sirikit on 24 October, confirmed Thailand’s commitment to removing military assets from the frontier.

“This declaration reflects our will to resolve differences peacefully in full respect of sovereignty and territorial integrity,” said Anutin.

Trade diplomacy in focus

Trump’s presence at the ASEAN Summit marks the first leg of a broader Asian diplomatic tour that includes scheduled visits to Japan and South Korea. He was received at Kuala Lumpur International Airport by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and took part in a traditional welcome ceremony.

Alongside the ceasefire, Trump also announced imminent agreements with Thailand and Malaysia on critical minerals. These deals come amid growing global concern over China’s dominance in the rare earth sector, especially after Beijing imposed restrictions on global exports earlier in October.

The US has been working to diversify its rare earth supply chains, recently concluding a deal with Australia to strengthen domestic production.

“A wider trade deal with Cambodia is also in the works,” Trump said at the ceremony.

Progress on US-China trade talks

While Trump met ASEAN leaders, Chinese and US trade officials resumed discussions aimed at reducing tensions in the ongoing trade war.

US trade representative Jamieson Greer stated that talks had covered a broad range of topics, including an extension of the current trade truce and supply chain cooperation.

“I think that we’re getting to a spot where the leaders will have a very productive meeting,” Greer said.

Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to meet in Japan later this week, with discussions likely to include Taiwan and human rights concerns, including the ongoing detention of Hong Kong media figure Jimmy Lai.

Tensions over Taiwan remain

Although Trump has sent mixed signals about Taiwan in the past, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio dismissed concerns that Washington would abandon its commitments in exchange for trade concessions.

“If what people are worried about is we’re going to get some trade deal or we’re going to get favourable treatment on trade in exchange for walking away from Taiwan – no one is contemplating that,” Rubio said.

Trump recently stated that he hoped China would not pursue military action against Taiwan, following earlier remarks that had appeared to downplay the threat.

East Timor joins ASEAN

In a historic development during the summit, East Timor was officially welcomed as the 11th member of ASEAN.

The country’s Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao described the accession as a long-anticipated milestone for the young democracy.

“For the people of Timor-Leste, this is not only a dream realised, but a powerful affirmation of our journey,” Gusmao said.

The small nation of 1.4 million, also known as Timor-Leste, has a GDP of approximately US$2 billion, a small fraction of ASEAN’s collective US$3.8 trillion economy.

Despite modest economic impact, East Timor’s inclusion marks a symbolic victory for the country’s leadership and its post-independence aspirations.