Trump Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize by Cambodia for Role in Thailand Ceasefire
Phnom Penh, Cambodia — August 8, 2025 — Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has officially nominated U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, citing his “extraordinary statesmanship” in brokering a ceasefire that ended a deadly border conflict with Thailand. The announcement, made via a letter to the Norwegian Nobel Committee, marks Cambodia as the third country—following Pakistan and Israel—to nominate Trump for the prestigious award this year.
The conflict, which erupted on July 24, 2025, along the Cambodia-Thailand border, was the worst in over a decade, killing at least 43 people and displacing over 300,000 on both sides. Triggered by a landmine explosion that injured Thai soldiers, the five-day skirmish saw intense clashes until Trump’s intervention, including a critical phone call on July 26 to Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, broke a diplomatic deadlock. A ceasefire was finalized in Malaysia on July 28, mediated with U.S. and ASEAN involvement.
Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol, speaking in Phnom Penh, praised Trump’s decisive role, stating, “He should get the Nobel, not only for his work on Cambodia but also elsewhere.” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed this sentiment, posting on X, “President Trump made this happen. Give him the Nobel Peace Prize!” She noted that Trump has brokered an average of one peace deal or ceasefire per month since January, citing resolutions in conflicts involving India-Pakistan, Israel-Iran, and others.
The nomination also reflects Cambodia’s gratitude for Trump’s trade policies. The U.S. reduced a proposed 49% tariff on Cambodian goods to 19%, a move Chanthol said protected the nation’s vital garment and footwear sector. Some analysts suggest Cambodia’s nomination may be a strategic move to secure favorable trade terms amid great power rivalries in Southeast Asia, particularly with China.
Trump’s nomination joins those from Pakistan, for his role in easing tensions with India, and Israel, for his work on the Abraham Accords and ending the Iran conflict. While the Norwegian Nobel Committee will review nominations by January 31, 2026, with an announcement in October, critics argue the prize’s credibility is questionable, citing past awards like Barack Obama’s in 2009. Trump himself has expressed skepticism about winning, stating in June, “I deserve it, but they will never give it to me.”
The nomination underscores Trump’s unconventional approach to diplomacy, leveraging trade and direct engagement to de-escalate conflicts. However, opinions remain divided, with some praising his results and others questioning his motives and the prize’s relevance.
Sources: Reuters, ABC News, The Diplomat, Khmer Times, The Straits Times