In brief
In a ceremonial event in Kuala Lumpur, Trump heralded a 'peace deal' between Thailand and Cambodia, promoting his image as a peacemaker. Yet, experts argue the agreement lacks substantial progress and might not fully resolve ongoing territorial disputes. Key details include the withdrawal of heavy weaponry and the establishment of an observer team, but skepticism remains regarding the durability of these arrangements.
It was, as everyone knew it would be, all about US President Donald Trump.He literally towered over everyone else at the ceremony in Kuala Lumpur where Cambodia and Thailand signed their agreement. He gave the longest speech - and made the biggest claims.It was all superlatives. This is a momentous day for South East Asia, Trump said. A monumental step. Describing the two slightly sheepish-looking prime ministers who were about to sign the deal as historic figures, Trump recalled at length how he got involved in the Thai-Cambodian border conflict while he was visiting his Turnberry golf course in Scotland in July.And I said this is much more important than a round of golf... I could have had a lot of fun, but this is much more fun... saving people and saving countries.Trump had asked for this special ceremony as a condition for coming to the annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit - a gathering US presidents have attended at times in the past, but not always. And he used it to press his campaign to be recognised as a great peacemaker.The eight wars that my administration has ended in eight months – there's never been anything like that, he said. We're averaging one a month... It's like, I shouldn't say it's a hobby, because it's so much more serious, but something I'm good at and something I love to do.But what does the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord, as Trump has renamed it, actually amount to?Both countries had already signed a ceasefire back in July, a move that was also influenced by Trump. The latest deal doesn't present a significant advance.The nations have agreed to withdraw heavy weapons from the disputed border and establish an interim observer team to monitor it. Additionally, they will implement new procedures for clearing landmines and address the proliferation of scam centres. They plan to replace missing border markers with temporary ones.While this constitutes progress, the historic differences over the border remain unresolved and could flare up again. After the ceremony, Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow refused to label it a peace agreement, opting instead for the more measured title of Joint Declaration by the prime ministers of Thailand and Cambodia on the outcomes of their meeting in Kuala Lumpur.A far cry from Trump's expansive claims, Sihasak suggested it might be a pathway to peace.Opinions on the deal remain diverse, with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet praising Trump and even nominating him for a Nobel Peace Prize, while Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charvirakul was more cautious, aligned with nationalist sentiments back home.Trump's influence in this ceremony is seen as crucial for stability in the region, especially amid significant economic dependencies on the US.Despite the grandstanding and claims, skeptics continue to question the viability of this agreement in addressing the long-standing tensions between the two nations.