KUALA LUMPUR. MALAYSIA Oct 27, 2025 – President Donald J. Trump departed Malaysia on Monday, touting a landmark peace agreement between Thailand and Cambodia that he brokered during the 47th ASEAN Summit, alongside key U.S. trade pacts aimed at securing access to critical minerals.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Trump described the achievements as a triumph for global stability and American interests, writing: “Just leaving Malaysia, a great and very vibrant Country. Signed major Trade and Rare Earth Deals, and yesterday, most importantly, signed the Peace Treaty between Thailand and Cambodia. NO WAR! Millions of lives saved. Such an honor to have gotten this done. Now, off to Japan!!”
The peace accord, signed Sunday in Trump’s presence, resolves a long-simmering border dispute between the Southeast Asian neighbors that had escalated into sporadic clashes, threatening regional stability. Under the deal, both countries agreed to establish joint border observer teams and demilitarize contested areas, marking what U.S. officials called a “pivotal step” toward lasting peace. Trump, who joined Thai and Cambodian leaders for the signing ceremony, credited his administration’s “decisive diplomacy” for averting potential conflict, while criticizing the United Nations for failing to intervene.
The agreement comes amid heightened U.S. efforts to counterbalance China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific, with the treaty including provisions for enhanced U.S. security cooperation with both nations. Analysts noted that the deal could prevent the displacement of millions and stabilize supply chains in a region vital for global electronics manufacturing.
Complementing the diplomatic win, Trump inked reciprocal trade agreements with Malaysia, Thailand, and other ASEAN members, focusing on rare earth elements and critical minerals essential for U.S. tech and defense industries. Under the pacts, Malaysia committed to lifting export restrictions on these resources to the U.S. and boosting purchases from American firms, while Thailand and Cambodia saw U.S. tariffs reduced from threatened highs of up to 49%. The deals, part of a broader “flurry” of six agreements during the summit, underscore Trump’s push for “fair and reciprocal” trade amid ongoing U.S.-China tensions.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, host of the summit, praised the outcomes as a boost for regional economic integration, echoing his own calls for enhanced ASEAN cooperation in digitalization and connectivity. “These agreements open new doors for sustainable growth and investment,” Anwar said during a joint press event with Trump.
Trump’s Asia tour, his first major overseas trip since returning to the White House, now heads to Japan for talks on defense and trade, where he is expected to press Tokyo on currency issues and alliance commitments. The visit caps a whirlwind 72 hours that has burnished the president’s image as a global dealmaker, even as domestic critics decry the summit’s costs amid U.S. budget debates.
The ASEAN Summit, attended by leaders from 10 Southeast Asian nations, highlighted fractures over South China Sea claims and economic recovery, with Trump’s interventions stealing the spotlight. While hailed by supporters as a “golden age” for American diplomacy, skeptics warn that the peace deal’s durability hinges on follow-through enforcement mechanisms.
