KUALA LUMPUR – US President Donald Trump has indicated he will attend the Asean summit in Malaysia later this month, but only if he can showcase his role in regional peace efforts.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Trump’s attendance from October 26-28 is contingent upon the Malaysian government allowing him to oversee a ceremonial signing of a peace deal between Cambodia and Thailand, which would take place on the summit sidelines, Politico reported.
The White House sees this as a high-profile opportunity for Trump to cement his reputation as a “peacemaker-in-chief,” especially after his involvement in halting a deadly cross-border conflict between the two nations in July.
The White House has also requested that Chinese officials be excluded from the ceremony to ensure the focus remains on Trump, sidelining Beijing’s attempts at mediation between Phnom Penh and Bangkok.
However, the White House denied that Trump’s participation is dependent on the peace ceremony.
“The president is negotiating this peace agreement, but this was not identified as a condition to attend the summit,” a senior administration official told Politico, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The official also emphasised that China has had no role in the negotiations, a claim that has not been independently verified.
Sources indicated that Malaysia, led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, is in a difficult position. Anwar had previously confirmed Trump’s participation in July but now faces the challenge of balancing his diplomatic obligations. If he agrees to Trump’s demands, it could be seen as appeasing a US president who is unpopular in Malaysia, where anti-American sentiment has surged over issues such as US support for Israel.
Scoop has reached out to the Prime Minister’s office and Wisma Putra for comment.
Meanwhile, Trump’s push to be recognised as a global peace broker is influencing US foreign policy. He has claimed credit for ending “seven un-endable wars” and was recently involved in the peace agreement between Hamas and Israel. His pursuit of a Nobel Peace Prize has also been a prominent goal, with multiple world leaders nominating him for the 2025 award.
For Malaysia, this summit could be pivotal in advancing a trade deal with the US, potentially alleviating the impact of 19% US tariffs on Malaysian exports. But Anwar risks antagonising China, Malaysia’s largest trading partner, at a time when global trade tensions are escalating.
Trump’s demands also present a challenge for Anwar politically. The Malaysian leader has already faced pressure to disinvite Trump, due to the latter’s support for Israel amid protests over the Gaza conflict.
Both Cambodian and Thai leaders credit Trump with bringing an end to the deadly border clashes that left dozens dead and displaced hundreds of thousands.
Trump’s intervention included threats of tariffs, which he claims were key in securing a ceasefire on July 28.
However, the lasting peace between the two nations remains uncertain, with skirmishes continuing and Thailand’s reluctance to reopen border crossings. – October 7, 2025