At ASEAN Summit, Trump Declares Himself ‘President of Peace’ After Brokering Thailand-Cambodia Ceasefire

At the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, US President Donald Trump revived the title “President of Peace” after overseeing.

The signing of the Thailand–Cambodia Peace Declaration, a deal aimed at formally ending the months-long border conflict between the two Southeast Asian neighbours.

The accord, signed on Sunday, was witnessed by Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet signing the truce. The agreement calls for both sides to withdraw heavy weapons, conduct de-mining operations along the border, and allow ASEAN-led ceasefire monitors to oversee compliance. Thailand also agreed to release 18 Cambodian soldiers captured during the clashes.

In a post accompanying a photo of Trump at the ceremony, the US State Department referred to him as the “President of Peace,” a phrase that has been frequently used by Trump’s supporters and his administration. Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised the US leader’s role, writing, “Thanks to @POTUS’s leadership and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s efforts, there is now a path to peace, stability, and prosperity for Southeast Asia.”

Trump hailed the deal as a “historic step toward lasting peace,” saying, “The people of Thailand and Cambodia have chosen dialogue over division and stability over conflict.”

The title “President of Peace” was first popularised earlier this year at the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit in Egypt, where Israeli lawmakers wore red MAGA-style caps bearing the slogan ahead of Trump’s speech to the Knesset. The gesture came after Hamas released the final hostages from the October 7, 2023, attack, a development that Israel credited Trump with helping secure.

Following the peace signing in Kuala Lumpur, the White House announced new trade initiatives with both Thailand and Cambodia. A memorandum of understanding with Thailand will boost cooperation on rare earth minerals, while a revised trade deal with Cambodia finalises a reduced 19% tariff — down from the 36% rate Trump had previously threatened as part of his global tariff campaign.