President Donald Trump’s arrival in Kuala Lumpur on October 26, 2025, marked the start of a whirlwind week in Asia packed with high-stakes diplomacy, trade deals, and a headline-grabbing peace agreement. As the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit unfolded in Malaysia’s bustling capital, Trump wasted no time in putting the United States at the center of regional developments, seeking to reshape economic and security ties across Southeast Asia—and, not incidentally, burnish his own reputation as a dealmaker on the global stage.
From the moment Air Force One touched down, with Trump pumping his fists to the beat of local drummers, the president seemed intent on projecting both showmanship and resolve. The diplomatic agenda was ambitious: to secure new trade agreements with Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia, and to reinforce America’s strategic position as China tightens its grip on critical minerals. But it wasn’t just about economics. Trump’s first major act was to preside over the ceremonial signing of an expanded ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, two neighbors whose border skirmishes earlier in the year had left dozens dead and hundreds of thousands displaced.
According to NPR, the ceasefire deal—attended by Trump, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, and Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet—was seen as a diplomatic breakthrough. Thailand agreed to release Cambodian prisoners, while Cambodia began withdrawing heavy artillery from contested areas. Regional observers were tasked with monitoring compliance to prevent renewed violence. "We did something that a lot of people said couldn't be done," Trump declared, clearly relishing his moment in the spotlight. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet called it a "historic day," while Thailand’s Anutin Charnvirakul described the agreement as "the building blocks for a lasting peace."
But as The New York Times pointed out, Trump’s use of economic leverage was a crucial factor in bringing the two sides to the table. Throughout the summer, he had threatened to withhold trade agreements unless the fighting stopped, a move that analysts like Ou Virak of Phnom Penh’s Future Forum credited as decisive. "The fact that Trump was holding the tariff card was actually very, very significant," Virak noted. "That’s probably the main reason, if not the only reason, but definitely the main reason why the two sides agreed immediately to the ceasefire."
The peace ceremony was just the beginning. Within hours, Trump and his team—led by U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer—signed a flurry of trade deals and memoranda with Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia. As reported by Nexstar Media and Bloomberg, these agreements maintained the existing 19 percent tariff on imports from all three countries, but opened new avenues for American goods. Cambodia agreed to drop tariff barriers on all U.S. products, while Thailand pledged to eliminate tariffs on 99 percent of American exports. All three countries committed to working toward the removal of non-tariff barriers, a move expected to benefit U.S. farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, and the technology sector.
"These landmark deals demonstrate that America can maintain tariffs to shrink the goods trade deficit while opening new markets for American farmers, ranchers, workers, and manufacturers," Greer said in a statement. He expressed gratitude to his counterparts from Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam for their collaboration and commitment to a more balanced trade relationship.
Critical minerals—vital for electronics, batteries, and a host of modern technologies—were a central theme. With China having recently announced new export controls on rare earth elements, the U.S. sought to diversify its supply chains. Malaysia, in particular, agreed not to impose quotas on exports of critical minerals to the U.S., while all three Southeast Asian nations signed agreements to cooperate on processing and exporting these materials. "It’s very important that we cooperate as willing partners with each other to ensure that we can have smooth supply chains, secure supply chains, for the quality of life, for our people and security," Greer emphasized at the signing ceremony in Kuala Lumpur.
Notably, the deals were less about reducing tariffs—those remained at Trump’s previously imposed 19 percent rate—and more about building leverage against China. As The New York Times observed, the agreements were designed to help the U.S. contain China through export controls, sanctions, and improved access to critical minerals. The timing was no accident: Trump was preparing for a highly anticipated meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping later in the week, hoping to negotiate over tariffs, rare earths, and agricultural exports.
Trump’s Asia itinerary was packed. After Malaysia, he was set to visit Japan—where he would meet the country’s new leader, Sanae Takaichi, the first woman to serve as prime minister—and then South Korea, with an eye toward finalizing further trade agreements and attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. Discussions with leaders from Brazil and Vietnam also featured on the agenda, with both countries negotiating their own trade frameworks with the U.S. (Vietnam’s reciprocal tariff on exports, for instance, would remain at 20 percent.)
Yet, the summit’s atmosphere was not without tension. Trump’s decision to abruptly cut off trade talks with Canada—reportedly in response to a television ad from an Ontario province—cast a shadow over North American relations. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, attending the ASEAN summit, avoided direct criticism but stated, "Canada stands ready to build on the progress that we had been making in our negotiations and discussions with our American counterparts." The president’s penchant for unpredictability was on full display, from last-minute schedule changes to unscripted moments—like inviting Malaysia’s prime minister into his limousine, in breach of security protocol, and joking about their respective brushes with incarceration.
Throughout, Trump’s messaging was clear: America is back, and it intends to be a strong partner in Southeast Asia. "The United States is with you 100%, and we intend to be a strong partner and friend for many generations to come," he told assembled leaders, describing his counterparts as "spectacular leaders" and proclaiming, "everything you touch turns to gold."
As the weeklong tour continued, all eyes turned to the looming Trump-Xi summit. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told NBC’s Meet the Press that negotiators had reached a "very substantial framework" agreement, potentially allowing Trump to avoid imposing additional 100 percent tariffs on Chinese imports. The framework, Bessent said, would benefit U.S. farmers—especially soybean producers—though final decisions awaited the leaders’ face-to-face meeting.
In a region often accustomed to diplomatic platitudes and slow-moving negotiations, this year’s ASEAN summit stood out for its flurry of activity and the outsized presence of the American president. Whether Trump’s deals will deliver the promised benefits, or simply set the stage for further wrangling with China and other trading partners, remains to be seen. But for now, Southeast Asia finds itself firmly in the crosshairs of Washington’s economic and strategic ambitions.