U.S. President Begins ASEAN Summit in Malaysia

World 09:10 AM - 2025-10-26

Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet look on as U.S. President Donald Trump speaks ahead of the signing of a ceasefire deal between Cambodia and Thailand.

United States President Donald Trump arrived in Malaysia on Sunday to attend the ASEAN Summit, where he is expected to witness the signing of an expanded ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, and to oversee key trade discussions.

President Trump’s first engagement at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit involves observing the formalisation of a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand. The agreement follows his mediation efforts in July, which brought an end to a deadly five-day border conflict.

The new accord builds upon a truce signed three months ago after President Trump contacted the leaders of both nations, urging them to cease hostilities or risk the suspension of their respective trade negotiations with Washington.

At least 48 people were killed and an estimated 300,000 temporarily displaced during the five-day exchange of rockets and heavy artillery—the worst fighting between the two countries in recent years. Each side has blamed the other for instigating the violence.

Thailand’s Prime Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, nearly missed the signing ceremony following the death of the kingdom’s Queen Mother Sirikit on Friday. However, he later decided to attend the event.

Upon arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, President Trump was greeted by Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, alongside a troupe of traditional dancers. President Trump briefly joined the performers on the red carpet, holding both the American and Malaysian flags, before departing with Prime Minister Anwar for Kuala Lumpur.

Focus on Trade Relations

As regional leaders gathered, U.S. and Chinese negotiators met on the sidelines of the summit in an effort to prevent further escalation in the ongoing trade dispute between the world’s two largest economies.

Responding to questions from reporters, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said that a wide range of issues were discussed, including the possible extension of existing trade truces.

“I believe the leaders are moving towards a very constructive and productive meeting,” Greer said.

President Trump’s trip marks his first visit to Asia since assuming office in January, and is widely seen as a test of his diplomatic and deal-making skills ahead of his planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

President Trump is also expected to discuss U.S. tariffs with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, one of several world leaders attending the summit. President Lula has criticised Washington’s 50% tariffs on Brazilian exports, describing them as a “mistake,” and pointing to a U.S. trade surplus of $410 billion with Brazil over the past 15 years. President Trump indicated before departing for Asia that he was open to reducing the tariffs.

East Timor Joins ASEAN as 11th Member

In a historic development, East Timor—also known as Timor-Leste—was formally admitted as the 11th member of ASEAN on Sunday. The milestone fulfils a vision first proposed nearly half a century ago, when the nation was still under Portuguese rule.

With a population of 1.4 million, East Timor remains one of Asia’s poorest nations. Its leaders hope ASEAN membership will boost its modest $2 billion economy, which represents only a small share of the bloc’s combined gross domestic product of $3.8 trillion.

East Timor’s accession comes after a 14-year wait and, while it is not expected to dramatically alter ASEAN’s dynamics, it marks a symbolic triumph for President José Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão—both celebrated figures of the country’s independence movement.



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