Trump hails Thai-Cambodia peace deal, says he has ended ‘8 wars’
In a separate joint statement, Malaysia pledges to keep rare earth exports ‘free-flow’ to US
[KUALA LUMPUR] US President Donald Trump claimed on Sunday (Oct 26) that his administration has “ended eight wars in eight months” since his return to the White House, as he appeared alongside Malaysian and South-east Asian leaders at the signing of the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord between Thailand and Cambodia.
The agreement, inked on the sidelines of the 47th Asean Summit, commits both countries to halt border hostilities, withdraw troops and heavy weapons, and work towards a long-term settlement of their disputed 817 km boundary.
It also formalises the deployment of an Asean observer team to monitor compliance and prevent renewed clashes.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet signed the accord, witnessed by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Trump.
As part of the agreement, Thailand will also release 18 Cambodian soldiers captured during earlier confrontations, said Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow.
The breakthrough builds on emergency talks convened by Anwar in Putrajaya on Jul 28, where he brought together Manet and then acting Thai prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai following the most serious flare-up along the border in years.
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Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said that while the ceasefire has largely held since then, some minor breaches – “not involving firearms, but slingshots” – underscored the need for a structured monitoring presence.
The peace effort aligns with Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship theme of “Inclusivity and Sustainability”, reaffirming the bloc’s capacity to mediate regional conflicts.
Quiet role of the US and Malaysia
At a press conference after the signing ceremony, Sihasak acknowledged that while Malaysia provided the venue and diplomatic platform, the US helped maintain momentum behind the scenes, sending a facilitation team to support communications, though neither country acted as a decision-maker.
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“Thailand has consistently said we do not want a third party to adjudicate… The discussions were bilateral, between Thailand and Cambodia. Malaysia and the United States were there to facilitate, not to negotiate on our behalf,” he said.
Cambodia, which had previously favoured seeking adjudication at the International Court of Justice, agreed to continue with the bilateral approach under Asean processes.
Trump positions accord as part of wider peace effort
Speaking after the signing, Trump described the accord as one example of his administration’s conflict-resolution approach, asserting that his government has been active in multiple global flashpoints.
Describing an achievement of having “ended eight wars in eight months”, he said: “I shouldn’t say it’s a hobby, because it’s so much more serious, but something I’m good at and something I love to do.”
Beyond Thailand and Cambodia, the other seven wars that Trump was referring to were between Israel and Hamas; Israel and Iran; Egypt and Ethiopia; India and Pakistan; Serbia and Kosovo; Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and Armenia and Azerbaijan.
He said the US had deployed “a lot of people” to support efforts to end the conflict in Gaza, and expressed confidence about being able to help resolve tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, citing his working relationship with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and army chief Asim Munir.
“On behalf of the United States, I’m proud to help settle this conflict and forge a future for this region where proud, independent nations can prosper and thrive in safety, security and peace,” he said.
Trump also credited Anwar for playing a key role in facilitating the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia in July.
“I called him at the beginning and said, ‘You have two countries fighting right next to you. We need a neutral place,’ and he was there,” Trump said.
Malaysia is hosting the 47th Asean Summit from Oct 26 to 28, where leaders are discussing regional security, economic integration and digital cooperation.
Malaysia to keep rare earth exports “free-flow” to US
In a separate joint statement by the White House and Malaysian government on reciprocal trade, Malaysia agreed to refrain from imposing bans or quotas on rare earth exports to the US, and to ensure continued access to rare earth magnets.
Under commitments finalised this week, Malaysia pledged to support expanded production capacity through longer-term operating licences.
Malaysia has an estimated 16.1 million tonnes of rare earth elements, with a potential value of up to RM1 trillion (S$307.5 billion), according to government estimates.
The commitments form part of a broader economic cooperation package covering digital trade, market access and regulatory standards.
Malaysia agreed to refrain from introducing a digital services tax that discriminates against US companies, and to allow trusted cross-border data flows, while supporting a permanent moratorium on customs duties for electronic transmissions at the World Trade Organization.
Restrictions on terrestrial broadcasting airtime for US programming will also be removed.
Both sides also reached an understanding on intellectual property enforcement, customs procedures, good regulatory practices and the commercial behaviour of state-owned enterprises.
On goods access, Malaysia will provide greater entry for US industrial and agricultural exports; it will also recognise US motor vehicle safety and emissions standards, and streamline import licensing for alloy steel, pipe products and other goods that contain steel.
Halal certification requirements for cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and medical devices will also be eased to facilitate trade.
Malaysia also committed to maintain strong environmental protections, including action against illegal logging, unreported fishing and wildlife trafficking, as well as stepping up enforcement in sectors with high risks of forced labour.
The announcement coincides with a series of commercial deals involving companies from both countries, including Malaysia’s planned procurement of 30 aircraft with options for 30 more, semiconductor and data centre equipment purchases worth an estimated US$150 billion, annual liquefied natural gas supply of up to five million tonnes valued at about US$3.4 billion, and investments worth US$70 billion by Malaysian entities in the US.
The US said it may take the agreement into account when considering future trade actions under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act.
Meanwhile, the US Treasury and Bank Negara Malaysia are working to finalise a mutual understanding on currency policy.
Both governments will complete domestic procedures before the agreement enters into force in the coming weeks.
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