Tokyo: US President Donald Trump arrived in Japan on Monday as part of his five-day tour of Asia, marking his longest journey abroad since taking office in January. Prior to Japan, Trump attended the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where he played a pivotal role in the signing of a peace agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, known as the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords.
According to Deutsche Welle, this peace agreement was facilitated after Trump intervened in July during the Thailand-Cambodia border dispute, which resulted in five days of deadly clashes. As part of the deal, Thailand agreed to release 18 Cambodian soldiers held since July. Trump’s influence in the region was further solidified through reciprocal trade deals with Malaysia and Cambodia. Vietnam also committed to increasing its purchase of US products to address a substantial trade surplus of $123 billion in 2024.
The US president’s departure to Japan was significant as he aimed to foster a friendly relationship with Japan’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, to ease trade tensions. Onboard Air Force One, Trump expressed his intention to discuss the “great friendship” between the US and Japan, highlighting the strategic importance of this relationship.
Trump’s actions in Southeast Asia have not gone unnoticed. Phil Robertson, director of Asia Human Rights and Labor Advocates, criticized Trump’s motives, suggesting that his involvement with the Thailand-Cambodia accord was driven by a desire to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Trump’s nomination for the award came after his intervention in the border conflict. Trump had previously threatened to increase trade tariffs on exports should the border issue remain unresolved, leading to a deal where both countries agreed to a reduced tariff of 19%.
The impact of trade on Trump’s influence in Southeast Asia is significant. Ian Chong, a political analyst in Singapore, noted that US tariffs and trade policies exert considerable pressure on regional economies, which are integral to global supply chains, particularly in supplying minerals to China. According to the Office of the US Trade Representative, trade between the US and ASEAN nations is projected to be worth $475 billion in 2024, underscoring the economic interdependence between the regions.
Trump’s visit also provided an opportunity for Malaysian PM Anwar to engage directly with the US president, reinforcing trade relations. Chong emphasized the importance for Southeast Asian leaders to maintain favorable relations with the US to avoid being overly reliant on China.
Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political scientist at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, highlighted that while the ASEAN meetings might appear secondary to Trump, regional leaders have no choice but to participate. Trump’s broader agenda includes fostering investments from Japan and South Korea into the US and preparing for a crucial meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Looking ahead, Trump expressed optimism about reaching a deal with China and mentioned the possibility of extending his trip to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, indicating continued diplomatic engagements in the region.