'President of peace': Trump says he ended Thai-Cambodia row

Summary

• Donald Trump claims credit for brokering the Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire, calling himself the “president of peace” after speaking with both leaders.

• The US State Department and China acknowledge Malaysia’s key role in facilitating the talks, with Anwar Ibrahim hosting the negotiations as Asean chair.

United States President Donald Trump has claimed personal credit for ending hostilities between Thailand and Cambodia, describing himself as the “president of peace.”

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he had spoken with Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.

“I am pleased to announce that, after the involvement of President Donald J Trump, both countries have reached a CEASEFIRE and PEACE.

“Congratulations to all! By ending this War, we have saved thousands of lives. I have instructed my Trade Team to restart negotiations on Trade. I have now ended many Wars in just six months - I am proud to be the President of PEACE!” he wrote.

In the run-up to the ceasefire negotiations, Trump had told Thailand and Cambodia it was inappropriate for the US to continue trade negotiations with them while the fighting continues.

The US government had earlier credited Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for brokering the ceasefire.

“We are grateful to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for his leadership and for hosting the ceasefire talks.

We urge all parties to follow through on their commitments,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement.

Meanwhile, China’s foreign ministry lauded the ceasefire and backed Malaysia in playing a continued role in ensuring peace between Thailand and Cambodia, in Malaysia’s capacity as the Asean chair.

“China supports Malaysia to continue playing its role as the rotating chair of Asean, promoting political settlement of the issue in ‘the Asean way’, and supports all efforts conducive to increasing mutual trust and de-escalating the situation.

“As a friend and close neighbor of Cambodia and Thailand, China will maintain close communication with all parties including the two countries, and on the basis of respecting the will of Cambodia and Thailand, continue to work in our own way and play a constructive role in consolidating the ceasefire agreement,” said ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun, according to the official transcript of a press conference in Beijing today.

On Monday, Anwar announced that Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to an unconditional ceasefire effective midnight, following peace talks hosted in Putrajaya.

At a press conference alongside the Thai and Cambodian prime ministers, Anwar revealed that Trump had also spoken with both leaders, urging them to seek a peaceful resolution.

Malaysia holds the rotating chair of Asean, which includes both Thailand and Cambodia among its members.

Tensions between the two neighbours escalated on May 28 after a deadly clash in the Preah Vihear area that resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier.

‘Trump congratulated me’

Manet said Trump congratulated him after the former reached Cambodia.

The Cambodian premier also said Trump considered the issue a crucial matter and has been monitoring the situation personally.

“I expressed my renewed thanks to President Donald Trump for initiating and facilitating a swift ceasefire negotiation and for the United States to co-organise today’s special meeting in Malaysia.

“He believes that for this agreement to be fully and sustainably implemented, there must be a clear monitoring mechanism to oversee the implementation by the relevant parties.

“This was also a point of agreement for the special meeting,” Manet said on Facebook yesterday.

Manet added that Trump agreed that the US would participate in monitoring the ceasefire agreement and continue cooperating with the mechanism established by Malaysia for successful oversight.

“The president attaches great importance to this ceasefire agreement, as he wishes to see lasting peace between the two countries.”

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