At ASEAN, ‘President Of Peace’ Tag Returns As Trump Takes Credit For Thailand-Cambodia Truce

Last Updated:October 27, 2025, 09:40 IST

The US State Department leaned on a familiar moniker that Donald Trump’s supporters have long used to back his claims of ending wars — the ‘President of Peace’.

US President Donald Trump (R) claps as Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul (2nd L) shakes hands with Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet (2nd R) as Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during a ceremonial signing of a ceasefire agreement between Cambodia and Thailand on the sidelines of the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur. (IMAGE: AFP)

The tag ‘President of Peace’ for US President Donald Trump made a comeback at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur, as the US State Department used it to highlight the Republican leader’s role in brokering peace between Thailand and Cambodia.

The moniker, popularised by Trump’s supporters and his administration, was first widely seen ahead of the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit earlier this year, when Israeli parliamentarians wore red MAGA-style caps emblazoned with the phrase ahead of Trump’s address. The gesture came as Hamas freed the last of the hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attack that sparked the Israel–Hamas war — a ceasefire Israel has since credited Trump with helping secure.

On Sunday, the US State Department revived the moniker in a caption accompanying a photo of Trump at the signing of the Thailand–Cambodia Peace Declaration in Kuala Lumpur. The accord, which formalises an expanded ceasefire, was signed by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.

The ceremony was witnessed by Trump and Malaysia’s Anwar Ibrahim, marking another instance of Washington publicly framing the US President as a leader who ends wars.

“The work of the President of Peace continues. Thanks to @POTUS’s leadership and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s efforts, there is now a path to peace, stability and prosperity for Southeast Asia. Congratulations to Cambodia and Thailand on the signing of the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.

“This is a momentous day for all of the people of Southeast Asia, as we sign a historic agreement to end the military conflict between Cambodia and Thailand," Trump said.

The deal, sealed with a firm handshake between the Thai and Cambodian leaders, contains broad rhetoric confirming both countries’ “unwavering commitment to peace and security".

It also says they will organise de-mining efforts along their border, withdraw heavy weapons and allow access to ceasefire monitor teams organised by the ASEAN regional bloc.

Thailand has promised to release 18 Cambodian soldiers it has held in captivity for the past three months.

Soon after the agreement was signed, the White House announced trade deals with Thailand and Cambodia.

A non-binding memorandum of understanding with Thailand outlines increased cooperation on trading rare earth minerals, which are vital to tech products and of which China is the world’s leading producer.

The headline of the Cambodian trade deal confirms the 19 percent levy the country had already secured this summer, a let-off from the 36 percent Trump had been threatening in his global tariff blitz.

The Thai-Cambodia truce has generally held since July 29.

(with additional inputs from AFP)

Shankhyaneel Sarkar

Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over seven years of experience during which he has covered se...Read More

Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over seven years of experience during which he has covered se...

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News world At ASEAN, ‘President Of Peace’ Tag Returns As Trump Takes Credit For Thailand-Cambodia Truce

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