When the usual “experts” said it couldn’t happen, Thailand and Cambodia signed an expanded ceasefire on Sunday—one that President Donald Trump helped broker over the summer—ending a border conflict that left dozens dead and displaced hundreds of thousands. The secret sauce? Higher tariffs on the table for both countries. Yes, the word that makes career diplomats faint… and yet, it worked.
Trump watched Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul sign the expanded deal at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The agreement requires Thailand to release 18 Cambodian soldiers held prisoner and for both sides to start removing heavy weapons from the border. “We did something that a lot of people said couldn’t be done,” Trump said. Peace through strength—funny how results shut down the naysayers.
Regional leaders didn’t mince words. Cambodia’s prime minister called it a “historic day,” while Thailand’s prime minister said the pact lays “the building blocks for a lasting peace.” For anyone still doubting the power of firm pressure and clear goals, feel free to take notes.
This was Trump’s first event upon arriving at the summit, part of an Asia trip that also includes Japan and South Korea. He even did his trademark campaign-trail dance with local performers and waved an American flag in one hand and a Malaysian flag in the other. Some folks give speeches; others deliver outcomes—and have a little fun while doing it.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim praised the Thailand–Cambodia agreement in his opening remarks, saying it reminds us that “reconciliation is not concession, but an act of courage.” Exactly—courage to stop the violence and choose stability.
After the expanded ceasefire was signed, Trump reached separate economic deals with both Cambodia and Thailand. He also signed agreements with Malaysia covering trade and critical minerals, part of the U.S. effort to expand supply chains and reduce reliance on China, which has limited exports of key tech components. A joint U.S.–Malaysia statement said the two countries agreed “to strengthen our bilateral economic relationship,” giving exporters on both sides “unprecedented access” to each other’s markets and building on the 2004 Trade Investment Framework Agreement. More access, stronger supply chains—imagine that.
Peace in Southeast Asia, prisoners released, heavy weapons moving off the border, and new economic deals that open markets and secure supply chains. Call it what you want; we call it effective American leadership. Good news for the region—and great news for those of us who believe in real results.
