Peace Prize for Trump? Cambodia Nominates

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Cambodia’s unprecedented move to nominate Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2025 is sending shockwaves through diplomatic circles.

Story Snapshot

Cambodia nominates Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize after his role in mediating a ceasefire in the violent Cambodia-Thailand border conflict.
This marks the third country to back Trump’s candidacy for the prestigious award, highlighting his continued global influence post-presidency.
The ceasefire, brokered with help from the U.S., China, and Malaysia, has stabilized a volatile region and halted mass displacement.
Trump’s involvement as a private citizen underscores the potential for American leadership and values in international crisis resolution.

Cambodia Credits Trump for Ceasefire in Deadly Border Conflict

Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet announced on August 3, 2025, that his government formally nominated Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, citing Trump’s mediation efforts during the Cambodia-Thailand border crisis. The violent escalation in July, which killed dozens and displaced more than 168,000 people, prompted urgent international intervention after bilateral talks failed to contain the violence. Trump, acting as a private citizen, initiated a critical phone call with both Cambodian and Thai leaders on July 26, offering to mediate and urging both sides to enter negotiations. His involvement was pivotal in bringing both parties to the table in Malaysia, where a ceasefire agreement was reached within 48 hours and took effect at midnight on July 28.

🚨 BREAKING: Cambodia is nominating President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize after he brokered peace in the Cambodia-Thailand conflict. pic.twitter.com/hIs6aP8Jf8

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) August 1, 2025

Thai officials, while appreciative of international support, asserted their preference for a bilateral solution but acknowledged the effectiveness of multilateral talks. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim hosted the negotiations, with U.S. and Chinese diplomats serving as co-facilitators. The ceasefire remains in place, with ASEAN and the United Nations monitoring the situation and further talks scheduled in Kuala Lumpur. Trump’s direct approach and reputation for deal-making resonated in a region long accustomed to diplomatic deadlock, offering a rare example of successful third-party mediation in Southeast Asia’s modern history.

Watch: Cambodia to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize over ceasefire with Thailand

Historical Tensions and the Road to Conflict

The Cambodia-Thailand border has been a flashpoint for over a century, with disputes dating back to French colonial rule and centered on contested sites like the Preah Vihear Temple. The most recent escalation began in May 2025, when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a border incident, reigniting long-standing grievances. By late July, artillery exchanges and landmine explosions had resulted in dozens of deaths, widespread destruction, and mass displacement of civilians. Domestic political instability in Thailand and the influence of military leaders in both countries further complicated negotiations, limiting the effectiveness of regional organizations like ASEAN. The United Nations Security Council and ASEAN issued urgent calls for de-escalation, but initial direct negotiations collapsed, underscoring the need for credible external mediation.

Previous skirmishes, such as those in 2008, were typically short-lived and resolved with ASEAN’s help, but the intensity and civilian impact of the 2025 clashes marked a significant escalation. Trump’s intervention, facilitated by Malaysia and backed by the U.S. and China, broke the diplomatic impasse and set a new precedent for involving private citizens and former leaders in high-stakes peace processes.

International Recognition and Political Implications

Cambodia’s nomination of Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize follows similar endorsements from two other countries, reflecting a broader trend of international recognition for his post-presidential diplomatic activities. The ceasefire has brought immediate relief to border communities, allowing displaced families to begin returning home and restoring a measure of stability to the region. Economically, the reopening of borders is expected to revive cross-border trade and agriculture, key sources of livelihood for local populations.

The political ramifications are significant for all parties involved. For Cambodia and Thailand, the ceasefire has eased nationalist tensions and averted further military escalation. For Trump, the Nobel nomination is a powerful endorsement of American values—freedom, dialogue, and the rule of law—at a time when many Americans are demanding a return to principled leadership on the world stage. The episode also raises questions about the future of U.S. foreign policy, the role of private citizens in diplomacy, and the capacity of regional organizations like ASEAN to resolve conflicts without outside intervention.