Cambodia Plans to Propose Trump for Nobel Peace Prize for his Contribution in Resolving Cambodia's Dispute with Thailand
In a significant development, President Donald Trump brokered a ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia following escalating border clashes in late July 2025.
The conflict, which began after a landmine explosion injured five Thai soldiers, had already caused over 30 deaths and displaced more than 130,000 people by that time. Both sides blamed each other for starting the violence, and the clashes lasted five days, killing at least 43 people and displacing over 300,000 on both sides.
Trump contacted the leaders of both nations—Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai—warning that the U.S. would not engage in trade deals with either country if the fighting continued. His intervention led to both sides agreeing, in principle, to a ceasefire. Thai officials expressed gratitude and requested sincere commitment from Cambodia.
Following the ceasefire, Cambodia announced its intention to nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his role in ending the border conflict. The White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, publicly applauded Trump's involvement, stating, “President Trump made this happen. Give him the Nobel Peace Prize!”
Sun Chanthol, Cambodia's deputy prime minister and top trade negotiator, also expressed his gratitude to President Trump. He thanked Trump for bringing peace to the region and for reducing the threatened U.S. tariffs on Cambodian exports from a potential 49% down to 19%. This move helped protect key sectors like garment and footwear.
Trump had initially threatened a tariff of 49% before later reducing it to 36%, a level that would have significantly impacted Cambodia's garment and footwear sector. However, the reduced tariff rate of 19% was still a concern for Chanthol, who emphasized that President Trump deserves to be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in brokering peace.
The ceasefire negotiations were held in Malaysia on Monday, with all three leaders—Anwar Ibrahim, Hun Manet, and Phumtham Wechayachai—in attendance. The agreement aims to end a conflict that has displaced 260,000 people and marks a significant step towards peace in the region.
[1] Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-58396137 [2] Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-brokers-ceasefire-between-thailand-cambodia-2025-07-30/ [3] Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/28/cambodia-thailand-clashes-leave-dozens-dead-and-hundreds-displaced
- Despite the ongoing war-and-conflicts along their border, the ceasefire agreement brokered by President Donald Trump showcases his expertise in politics, as his intervention led to a significant step towards peace in the region.
- Following the ceasefire, the general news is awash with the Cambodian government's nomination of President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, acknowledging his role in ending the border conflict and potentially saving thousands of lives from further violence.
