Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is set to sign a significant ceasefire agreement with Cambodia during a trip to Kuala Lumpur. This decision comes as he shortens his attendance at the ASEAN Summit following the death of the Thai Queen Mother, Sirikit. The ceasefire aims to address tensions that led to a deadly border conflict in July, resulting in dozens of casualties and approximately 300,000 people displaced.
The prime minister’s arrival in Malaysia is scheduled for Saturday night. He will participate in the opening ceremony of the ASEAN summit on Sunday before meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. Their discussions will focus on economic issues, security, and regional development, culminating in the signing of the ceasefire deal. This event has been expedited to allow Anutin to return to Thailand later that day.
“Thailand has recently received several requests for bilateral meetings at the leadership level, which will lead to the development of co-operation in various areas, including the economy, security, and trade,” Anutin stated. He has also announced his absence from the upcoming APEC Summit in South Korea due to the royal family’s loss.
The ASEAN summit, taking place over the weekend, will address topics such as multilateral trade and strengthening relations with new partners. It will also welcome East Timor as its 11th member. Concurrently, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will engage in trade discussions with a Chinese delegation led by Vice Premier He Lifeng. These talks aim to find common ground amidst rising trade tensions following President Trump’s threats of 100 percent tariffs on Chinese goods, set to begin on November 1.
World leaders, including Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa, and Japan’s newly elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, will join Trump at the summit. Notably, Trump is expected to meet with Lula, although the specifics of their discussions remain unconfirmed. Lula plans to address the tariffs imposed by the U.S., which he deems a “mistake,” especially given the longstanding trade surplus between Brazil and the U.S.
As the summit unfolds, leaders will work to navigate the complexities of global trade relations while addressing regional security issues. The interactions at this high-profile event will potentially shape the economic landscape in Southeast Asia and beyond, particularly in light of the recent escalations in trade disputes.
