US President Donald Trump presided over the signing of an agreement between Cambodia and Thailand in Kuala Lumpur, a ceremony he emphasized as a significant step towards peace in Southeast Asia. Trump, who described himself as a peacemaker and claimed to have ended numerous wars, used the event to bolster his image, stating his administration had ended eight wars in eight months, likening it to a passion.
The agreement, which Trump has termed the “Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord,” follows a ceasefire brokered earlier in July. While the details of the new accord are modest, they include the withdrawal of heavy weapons from the disputed border area, the establishment of an observer team, and a new procedure for clearing landmines. Both nations also committed to forming a joint task force to address the issue of scam centers and to replace missing border markers.
Thai officials, however, were more reserved in their assessment, referring to the agreement as a “pathway to peace” rather than a finalized peace deal. This cautious approach reflects Thailand’s long-standing preference for bilateral resolutions without external mediation, despite appreciating Trump’s involvement in facilitating the current agreement. Cambodia, on the other hand, has been more enthusiastic, having previously sought internationalization of its dispute with Thailand.
The article notes the delicate balance Southeast Asian nations must strike in their relationship with the US, given their economic reliance on the American market. The region has navigated the challenges posed by Trump’s trade policies, and his brief visit to Kuala Lumpur is seen as an effort to stabilize relations, even as he moves on to other diplomatic engagements.