At the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on October 26, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet stunned regional leaders by publicly nominating U.S. President Donald J. Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.
The nomination, delivered during a speech at the signing of the Thailand–Cambodia ceasefire agreement, credited Trump with “saving lives and restoring peace through visionary and innovative diplomacy.”
Bold Move by Cambodia
The statement was made in front of ASEAN leaders, including Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, during the ceremonial signing of the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords.
The agreement formally ended five days of deadly clashes between Cambodian and Thai forces that had left at least 43 dead and displaced over 300,000 civilians.
“Reflecting the gratitude of the Cambodian people, I have nominated President Donald J. Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. He saved lives. And this is the wish of our Cambodian people as appreciation for the President.”
The fighting escalated from small arms fire to artillery and airstrikes, including Thailand’s deployment of an F-16 jet.
Trump warned both governments that U.S. trade negotiations would be suspended unless hostilities ceased. Within 48 hours, both sides agreed to talks in Malaysia, resulting in the July 28 ceasefire and today’s formal peace accord.
The agreement includes:
- Immediate cessation of hostilities
- Release of 18 Cambodian POWs
- Deployment of ASEAN peace observers
- Mutual landmine clearance and troop withdrawals
Strategic Shift
Hun Manet’s speech marks a significant shift in Cambodia’s foreign policy. Once closely aligned with China, Cambodia now appears to be courting Washington.
Trump’s decision to reduce tariffs on Cambodian exports from a threatened 49% to 19% preserved the country’s garment sector and boosted Hun Manet’s domestic standing.
The Nobel nomination, delivered in front of ASEAN leaders and global media, is widely seen as both a diplomatic gesture and a strategic gamble according to Asian political analysts.
Trump embraced the moment with joy and appreciated his administration for ending yet another war.
“We did something that a lot of people said couldn’t be done, and we saved maybe millions of lives.”
He also signed trade agreements with Cambodia and Thailand, and a critical minerals deal with Thailand, positioning the U.S. as a counterweight to China’s dominance in rare earth exports.
Trump’s Nobel Campaign
Trump’s Nobel campaign has drawn support from a diverse range of governments and lawmakers, each citing his role in resolving regional conflicts and promoting diplomacy.
Here is a breakdown of the publicly confirmed nominations after Cambodia’s recent nomination:
Pakistan
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif credited Trump with defusing tensions with India, averting a potential nuclear standoff.
Israel
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu submitted a nomination for Trump’s role in expanding the Abraham Accords and mediating the Israel–Iran ceasefire.
Armenia
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan supported a joint nomination with Azerbaijan for Trump’s mediation in the Nagorno-Karabakh peace talks.
Azerbaijan
President Ilham Aliyev echoed Armenia’s support, praising Trump’s neutral and effective diplomacy.
Rwanda
Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe backed Trump’s efforts in ending hostilities with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Gabon
President Brice Oligui Nguema endorsed Trump’s nomination, citing his role in stabilizing Central African trade routes.
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U.S. Lawmakers
Rep. Claudia Tenney
Nominated Trump for his work on the Abraham Accords and broader Middle East peace efforts.
Rep. Darrell Issa
Cited Trump’s diplomacy in the Gulf region and his role in de-escalating tensions with Iran.
Rep. Buddy Carter
Focused on Trump’s mediation between Israel and Iran, calling it “a historic breakthrough.”
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In addition to formal nominations, Trump has received spiritual endorsements.
In Cambodia, over 70,000 Buddhist monks reportedly marched in support of Hun Manet’s nomination, chanting prayers for peace and praising Trump’s intervention in the region.
With nominations still open for the 2026 prize, Trump’s camp is expected to continue lobbying for recognition.
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