President Trump began his nearly weeklong tour in Asia, landing in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, eager to position himself as a global dealmaker and mediator. Shortly after his 24-hour journey, he presided over a peace-deal ceremony between Cambodia and Thailand, ending a brief July conflict. Trump declared it “a momentous day for all of the people of Southeast Asia,” announcing the release of 18 Cambodian prisoners of war, a term the Thai prime minister supported. The peace deal’s signing was expedited at Trump’s insistence, a move he used to highlight his peacemaking efforts despite ongoing economic turmoil from his tariffs and domestic policy challenges like a federal government shutdown. Top officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, attended, and even Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, initially unable to attend due to the death of the Thai queen mother, flew in for the event. The ceremony also included reciprocal trade agreements with Cambodia and a critical minerals memorandum with Thailand.
Further details emerged from the White House regarding these deals: Malaysia pledged a $70 billion investment in the U.S. over the next decade, while Thailand committed to purchasing 80 American planes worth $18.8 billion. Cambodia also agreed to collaborate with Boeing to bolster its aviation sector. These agreements, while nonbinding and requiring further negotiation, represent a “step in the right direction” for U.S. cooperation on critical minerals and rare earth materials, according to Alexander Feldman of the Asia Group. Such gestures are seen as strengthening Trump’s negotiating hand ahead of his crucial meeting with China’s leader, Xi Jinping. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated that U.S. and Chinese trade negotiators had already made progress on a framework for the leaders’ discussions.
Despite the busy schedule and diplomatic focus, Trump showed no signs of domestic distractions, asserting that “The United States is having its golden age.” However, sources noted his exhaustion after the long trip, evident in his rushed delivery of prepared remarks during an ASEAN leaders’ lunch. His voice hoarse, he even jokingly exaggerated his time in Malaysia, highlighting the intensity of his schedule which has largely involved photo opportunities and fewer detailed discussions on the signed agreements. Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim even revealed a breach of security protocol when Trump invited him into his limousine, joking about their shared experiences with legal challenges.
Amid these developments, some concerns lingered. Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow clarified that while the U.S. and Malaysia facilitated the talks, the peace and trade deals were ultimately agreed upon in direct meetings between Cambodia and Thailand, emphasizing Thailand’s preference against third-party mediation. Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney, a critic of tariffs, maintained a diplomatic tone at the ASEAN summit despite Trump’s abrupt cancellation of U.S.-Canada trade talks earlier in the trip, choosing to focus on “reliable partners who honor their commitments.”
President Trump continued to emphasize his role as a peacemaker, reiterating claims of ending multiple conflicts and deserving a Nobel Peace Prize, specifically noting the UN’s failure in the Cambodia-Thailand conflict. He also announced that Cambodian and Thai commanders were discussing the removal of weapons from their border, signifying a willingness to execute the joint declaration. This reflects the core themes of Trump’s Asia trip: brokering peace and striking trade deals, even as he pushes for American interests and seeks to redefine global trade dynamics. These efforts include crucial discussions on how to define product origin in trade to reduce China’s supply chain dominance—a “sleeper issue” with significant potential to disrupt agreements. The trip sets the stage for high-stakes talks with Xi Jinping, where China’s leverage in critical minerals and its industrial might will be key factors.