KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — U.S. President Donald Trump is set to open his Asia trip on Sunday by finalizing a trade agreement with Malaysia and overseeing the signing of an expanded ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand.
The twin accords are expected to be formalized during the annual summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Kuala Lumpur, the first leg of Trump’s three-nation tour, which also includes Japan and South Korea, as well as a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Trump is expected to arrive in the Malaysian capital around 10 a.m. local time. He will attend a ceremony marking the ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand, which he has claimed credit for brokering.
The two neighboring nations clashed along their disputed border in July, leaving dozens dead and forcing thousands to flee their homes. Trump had earlier threatened to withhold trade deals unless both countries agreed to stop the fighting.
“The tariff threat was very significant,” said Ou Virak, president of Phnom Penh’s Future Forum think tank. “It was probably the main reason the two sides agreed to a ceasefire.”
Analysts say the ceasefire ceremony will bolster Trump’s image as a global peacemaker, something he has often highlighted in his bid for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura said the joint declaration to be signed on Sunday will affirm the commitment of Thailand and Cambodia to “renew their relations.” He added that both countries have agreed to address concerns over landmines, heavy artillery, and other cross-border issues.
“It’s not an end in itself,” Nikorndej said. “Work has just begun.”
Trump is also scheduled to meet with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who played a key role in facilitating the ceasefire. Later in the day, he will join regional leaders for dinner, but has ruled out meeting Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Trump recently announced higher tariffs on Canada after Ottawa aired a protest ad criticizing his trade policies.
Another major issue on Trump’s trip is the ongoing trade dispute with China. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said he was hopeful his meeting with Xi would bring progress on issues including fentanyl trafficking and soybean trade.
“I think we have a really good chance of making a very comprehensive deal,” Trump said. “I want our farmers to be taken care of. And he wants things also.”
While Trump expressed confidence in sealing trade agreements with Japan and South Korea during his tour, negotiations with Malaysia appear to be the most advanced, with a signing expected while he is in Kuala Lumpur.
“We have deals with a lot of people and they’re very good deals,” Trump told reporters.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not attend the ASEAN summit. Once seen as a close ally, Modi’s ties with Trump have cooled following disputes over trade tariffs and U.S. claims of mediating between India and Pakistan.
Edgardo Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
- EDGARDO HERNAL
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