Thailand, Cambodia expand ceasefire ending July conflict; Trump signs trade deals with the countries at ASEAN summit

Cambodia and Thailand on Sunday signed an expansion of the ceasefire that ended their July border conflict, with U.S. President Donald Trump playing a key role in brokering the agreement.

The expanded ceasefire, signed at the annual summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), included Thailand releasing 18 Cambodian soldiers held prisoner and both sides beginning to remove heavy weapons from the disputed 800-kilometre frontier. The border region has been contested for decades, but prior confrontations were usually brief. The July clashes resulted in dozens of deaths and the displacement of hundreds of thousands.

Trump’s intervention in July included pressing both countries with the threat of higher tariffs, helping persuade the leaders to end hostilities. He was present at Sunday’s signing ceremony as Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul formalized the agreement.


In addition to the ceasefire, Trump signed trade and economic agreements with the two countries. He finalized a reciprocal trade agreement with Cambodia and a critical minerals deal with Thailand. A White House official said Trump would also sign a critical minerals agreement with Malaysia during the summit. The economic deals were concluded shortly after the expanded ceasefire ceremony, highlighting Washington’s combined diplomatic and economic engagement in the region.

The dual focus on security and trade reflects the U.S. approach to Southeast Asia, promoting regional stability while strengthening strategic economic partnerships. Trump described the peace agreement as potentially saving millions of lives, underscoring the importance of preventing further conflict along the historically disputed border.

(With inputs from agencies)