Cambodia will nominate Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in securing a ceasefire with Thailand after days of skirmishes.
Sun Chanthol, Cambodia’s deputy prime minister, said his country would recommend Trump for the award as he praised him for a diplomatic breakthrough. It ended clashes between the neighbors that killed dozens and displaced hundreds of thousands.
Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment out of office hours.
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Why It Matters
The Nobel Peace Prize recognizes an individual or organization who has managed to “advance fellowship between nations.” The nomination of Trump follows recommendations for the award by Israel and Pakistan and the White House’s calls for him to be recognized for his ability as a geopolitical dealmaker.
What To Know
Chanthol said that, without Trump’s intervention, Cambodia and Thailand would likely not have struck a deal to end the fighting that killed at least 45 people on both sides of the disputed border.
The Southeast Asian neighbors share a 500-mile land frontier—largely mapped by France when it ruled Cambodia.
Last week, clashes erupted, displacing more than 300,000 people and prompting the U.S. State Department to step up its advisory risk. On Monday, the leaders agreed to a truce, which has mostly held to, and Chanthol lauded Trump’s role in this happening.
Reuters reported that, two days into the skirmishes, the U.S. president called Phumtham Wechayachai, Thailand’s acting prime minister, after Bangkok had not responded to mediation offers from Malaysia and China.
After his initial call, Trump said Thailand and Cambodia agreed to discuss a ceasefire and that Washington would not move ahead with tariff negotiations with both until the conflict had ended. Then, Bangkok demanded a meeting between the two prime ministers must take place at a neutral location, Reuters said.
The peace deal was announced in Malaysia on Monday, with leaders of the countries pictured shaking hands.
On Thursday, the Trump administration said Cambodia and Thailand would face 19 percent tariffs on imports to the U. S.—down from the 36 percent rate Thailand had faced previously and well below the 49 percent levy Trump announced for Cambodia in April.
Announcing that his government would put the president’s name forward with the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Chanthol said Trump should get the prize not only for his work on Cambodia, “but also elsewhere.”
In June, Pakistan said it would recommend Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in helping to resolve a conflict with India.
In July, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also said he would nominate the U.S. leader, as he praised his “pivotal role” in negotiating diplomatic relations between Israel and Arab states in 2020.
In touting his credentials for the prize, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said Thursday that, during this presidency, Trump had ended conflicts between Thailand and Cambodia; Israel and Iran; Rwanda and Congo; India and Pakistan; Serbia and Kosovo; and Egypt and Ethiopia.
What People Are Saying
Sun Chanthol, Cambodia’s deputy prime minister, said: “He should get the Nobel, not only for his work on Cambodia, but also elsewhere.”
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said on July 31: “The president has brokered on average about one peace deal or ceasefire per month … It’s well past time that President Trump was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.”
What Happens Next
The nomination process for the Nobel Prize starts in September, and the announcements will take place between October 6 and 13. Trump has expressed his wish for the prestigious award, but he is still playing a key role in ongoing disputes in the Middle East and Ukraine.
