Photo: Alamy
President Donald Trump on Sunday signed a peace agreement between Cambodia and Thailand and finalized a series of trade deals with Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia as he arrived in Kuala Lumpur for a major regional summit.
Trump visited Malaysia to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations conference, which the White House says reflects a renewed U.S. commitment to Southeast Asia amid China’s expanding economic and military influence.
The president’s arrival included a lively moment. Trump joined local dancers in a version of his well-known “YMCA” routine, a campaign staple during his 2020 and 2024 bids.
The peace deal between Cambodia and Thailand was the focus of the stop. President Trump helped broker a ceasefire in late July after border clashes and has now overseen a formal agreement intended to prevent renewed fighting. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim praised Trump’s involvement, saying the world needs more examples of leaders working toward peace.
Trump also signed several economic documents. The United States reached a minerals partnership with Thailand that includes sharing investment opportunities and information, and a similar arrangement was signed with Malaysia. Another agreement with Cambodia will allow more American goods to enter Cambodian markets.
A separate trade deal with Thailand will eliminate tariffs on 99 percent of U.S. goods exported to the country. The United States will maintain a 19 percent tariff on most imports from Thailand, but pledged to work with Thai officials to remove regulatory barriers. Thailand agreed to higher labor and environmental standards and to increased purchases of U.S. products, including agricultural goods, aircraft and energy resources.
Trump’s five-day overseas trip also includes visits to Japan and South Korea, with a second meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping planned.
President Trump said he expects to reach a trade deal with China during his upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea this week.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for President Xi and I think we’re going to come away with a deal,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One while traveling to Japan from Malaysia. “We have China coming and it’s going to be very interesting.”