KUALA LUMPUR, 26 October 2025 — The 47th ASEAN Summit opened in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday with a dramatic show of diplomacy, as United States President Donald Trump presided over the signing of an expanded Thailand–Cambodia ceasefire while finalising a series of high-stakes trade agreements across Southeast Asia.
The ceasefire was signed between Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, marking a major step forward after months of tension along their shared border.
At a ceremony featuring U.S. insignia and the slogan “Delivering Peace,” Hun Manet said the declaration “will provide the building blocks for a lasting peace, but more importantly, it will begin the process of mending our ties.”
“Our border communities have been divided by conflict, and innocent civilians have suffered immense losses,” he said.
Trump, who helped broker the original five-day truce in July, reminded both nations that U.S. partnership hinged on regional stability.
“The United States will have a robust commerce and cooperation, transactions, lots of them, with both nations, as long as they live in peace,” Trump said.
Trump’s Arrival in Malaysia
Arriving aboard Air Force One at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Trump was greeted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and a troupe of Malaysian dancers. In a lighthearted moment, Trump joined the dancers before waving both the U.S. and Malaysian flags and departing in his limousine for Kuala Lumpur.
The U.S. leader is attending the ASEAN Summit not only to witness the ceasefire signing but also to advance trade negotiations and strategic cooperation in the region.
U.S.–China Negotiations: “We’re Going to Have a Deal”
As Trump mingled with Southeast Asian leaders, U.S. and Chinese negotiators held talks on the sidelines to defuse ongoing trade tensions.
American delegates described the meeting as a “successful framework” ahead of a scheduled meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping next week in South Korea.
“I think we’re going to have a deal with China,” Trump told reporters, while Chinese negotiators said both sides had reached a preliminary consensus.
At the heart of the talks is China’s dominance over global rare earth supply chains, which Washington aims to diversify through new partnerships across Asia.
Trade Deals Across Southeast Asia
Within hours of landing, Trump announced new trade agreements with four ASEAN countries, including landmark deals on critical minerals with Malaysia and Thailand.
In a joint statement, Malaysia agreed not to ban or impose quotas on exports of rare earth elements to the United States, though it did not clarify if this applied to raw or processed materials.
The U.S. also finalised an expanded trade deal with Cambodia, and the White House confirmed a new arrangement with Vietnam to grant “unprecedented market access” for exporters on both sides.
Under the agreements, tariffs will remain at 19% for Malaysia, Thailand, and Cambodia, and 20% for Vietnam.
“Our message to the nations of Southeast Asia is that the United States is with you 100% and we intend to be a strong partner for many generations,” Trump said.
Trump also met briefly with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who is attending the summit to lobby for reduced tariffs on Brazilian goods. Talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney were cancelled following Trump’s announcement of a 10% tariff increase on Canadian exports.
East Timor Becomes ASEAN’s 11th Member
In another historic milestone, East Timor (Timor-Leste) officially became the 11th member of ASEAN, fulfilling a decades-long aspiration of its independence leaders.
With a population of 1.4 million and a GDP of about USD 2 billion, East Timor joins the regional bloc representing a combined USD 3.8 trillion economy.
“For the people of Timor-Leste, this is not only a dream realised, but a powerful affirmation of our journey,” said Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao.
“Our accession is a testament to the spirit of our people, a young democracy born from our struggle.”
About the 47th ASEAN Summit
Hosted by Malaysia as ASEAN Chair, the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits take place from 26 to 28 October 2025 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC).
Themed “Inclusivity and Sustainability,” the summit brings together world leaders to discuss regional stability, economic resilience, and sustainable development.
