At ASEAN Summit, Trump Hails Himself as ‘President of Peace’ After Mediating Thailand-Cambodia Truce

At the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, US President Donald Trump once again embraced.

The title “President of Peace,” after his administration credited him with mediating a ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia. The US State Department used the phrase in a post celebrating the signing of the Thailand–Cambodia Peace Declaration, describing it as another major diplomatic win for Trump.

The term “President of Peace” first gained traction earlier this year during Trump’s visit to Egypt for the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit, where Israeli lawmakers sported red MAGA-style caps with the phrase before his Knesset address. That moment came as Hamas released the final hostages from the October 7, 2023, attacks — a truce that Israel’s leadership said Trump played a key role in brokering.

On Sunday, the title reappeared when Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted a photo of Trump witnessing the peace accord’s signing in Kuala Lumpur, alongside Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.

“The work of the President of Peace continues. Thanks to @POTUS’s leadership and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s efforts, there is now a path to peace, stability, and prosperity for Southeast Asia,” Rubio wrote.

Trump, speaking at the ceremony, hailed the agreement as “a momentous day for all the people of Southeast Asia,” saying the peace deal would end years of border conflict between the two nations. The accord formalises the truce in place since late July and includes commitments to withdraw heavy weapons, clear landmines along the border, and allow ASEAN-led monitors to ensure compliance.

As part of the agreement, Thailand has agreed to release 18 Cambodian soldiers captured during the last phase of the conflict.

Following the peace signing, the White House announced new trade initiatives with both countries — a non-binding memorandum with Thailand to enhance cooperation on rare earth minerals and a tariff adjustment deal with Cambodia, confirming a reduced 19% levy that Trump had previously negotiated down from 36%.

The ceasefire, initially agreed upon in late July, has largely held, and Washington framed the development as a diplomatic milestone showcasing Trump’s “peace through strength” approach ahead of the US presidential election season.