On Sunday, October 26, 2025, U.S. President Trump arrived in Malaysia to attend the signing ceremony of the expanded ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia. During the ASEAN Summit held from the 26th to the 28th, Trump will lead a series of crucial trade negotiations.
Before a sign reading “Achieving Peace,” Thai acting Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet renewed the ceasefire agreement reached three months ago.
Manet stated at the signing ceremony, “If this declaration is fully implemented, it will lay the foundation for lasting peace, but more importantly, it will initiate the process of repairing bilateral relations.”
He added, “Border communities have been divided due to conflicts between the two countries, causing immense harm to innocent civilians.”
In July of this year, after intense clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, President Trump called the leaders of both sides to urge an immediate end to hostilities, warning of the risk of Washington suspending trade negotiations. With Trump’s mediation, the conflict was quelled five days later.
President Trump said, “As long as the two countries coexist peacefully, the United States will engage in strong commercial cooperation and significant trade with them.”
At the time, the two countries continued to exchange fire at the border, accusing each other of escalating rocket and artillery attacks. This most serious conflict in recent Thai-Cambodian history resulted in at least 48 deaths and approximately 300,000 people being displaced.
Anutin announced during the ceasefire agreement signing ceremony that both sides would “withdraw heavy weapons from the border areas to ensure the safety of the people,” and Thailand would release 18 detained Cambodian soldiers.
Upon arriving at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, President Trump was warmly welcomed by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and a ceremonial dance troupe. Trump stopped on the red carpet to dance with the welcoming party, then boarded a luxury welcoming carriage holding flags of the United States and Malaysia, proceeding to the city center with Ibrahim.
Meanwhile, representatives of the U.S. and China in trade negotiations met on the sidelines, attempting to prevent further escalation of the trade war between the two countries.
When asked if the negotiations initiated on Saturday, October 25, involved the rare earth issue, U.S. Chief Trade Negotiator Jamieson Greer stated that the discussions covered a wide range of topics, including an extension of the ceasefire in the trade war.
Greer mentioned, “I believe we are moving towards a stage where the two leaders can hold highly productive meetings.”
Earlier this month, China announced comprehensive export controls on rare earths, attempting to leverage its monopoly on this strategic resource to send a global signal. Washington is working on expanding a diversified rare earth supply chain.
At the signing ceremony of the Thailand-Cambodia expanded ceasefire agreement, Trump announced that the U.S. would soon sign crucial mineral agreements with Thailand and Malaysia, while also discussing broader trade agreements with Cambodia.
Later on Sunday, President Trump will meet with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who is attending the ASEAN Summit, to discuss the high tariffs imposed by the United States on Brazilian goods.
East Timor, Asia’s youngest country, officially became the 11th member of ASEAN on Sunday, realizing the vision put forward nearly half a century ago by current President Jose Ramos-Horta during the Portuguese colonial period.
With a population of 1.4 million, East Timor is one of the poorest countries in Asia, with its economy of around 2 billion U.S. dollars accounting for only a tiny fraction of ASEAN’s $3.8 trillion GDP.
Though East Timor’s accession will not bring fundamental changes to ASEAN, it holds significant meaning for key figures leading the country towards independence—President Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão.
Gusmão stated in his speech, “For the people of East Timor, this is not just a dream come true, but a strong affirmation of our journey towards (independence).”
He said, “Our accession witnesses the spirit of the people, witnessing the birth of democracy on this land—it stems from our struggle.”
(This article references reports from Reuters)