Latest news with #Chanthol
The Diplomat
04-08-2025
- Business
- The Diplomat
Cambodia to Nominate President Trump for Nobel Peace Prize, Official Says
Cambodia's government will officially nominate U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, following his efforts to broker a ceasefire in the country's border conflict with Thailand. Speaking to reporters in the capital Phnom Penh on Friday, Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol thanked Trump for bringing peace and said he deserved to be nominated for the prize. Later, a journalist from Reuters asked him via text message whether this meant Cambodia would nominate the U.S. leader, to which he responded, 'Yes.' Similar calls have since echoed across Cambodian social media. Chanthol's comments came shortly after Trump's updated tariff announcement, which saw Cambodia's import duty dropped to 19 percent, down from the 36 percent threatened in July and the 49 percent initially announced in April. Chanthol headed the negotiation team that engaged in economic talks with the Trump administration. In Malaysia on July 28, Cambodia and Thailand agreed to a ceasefire to end a fierce, five-day border conflict that killed at least 43 people and displaced more than 300,000 people in both countries. According to a report by Reuters that interviewed numerous officials on both sides, a phone call from Trump was crucial in breaking the 'deadlock' between the two nations and getting them to agree to the meeting in Malaysia. In particular, Trump reportedly threatened to cut off trade talks with both nations if they did not cease hostilities. Cambodia is not the first nation to suggest that Trump should be awarded the illustrious prize. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last month that he had nominated Trump for the award for helping bring his nation's war with Iran to an end. Pakistan also said that it would recommend Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in helping to resolve its short conflict with India in May. Trump has a seeming obsession with winning the Nobel Peace Prize, which may have something to do with his long-standing rivalry with former President Barack Obama, who was infamously awarded the prize in 2009, in the first year of his first term in office, seemingly in advance payment for achievements that never eventuated. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said last week that 'it is well past time that President Trump was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.' Since his inauguration, Trump 'has brokered, on average, one peace deal or ceasefire per month,' Leavitt said. In addition to the Cambodia-Thailand conflict, she mentioned conflicts between 'Israel and Iran, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, India and Pakistan, Serbia and Kosovo, and Egypt and Ethiopia.' While it is hard to see the Norwegian Nobel Committee taking seriously a Trump nomination, even if he has arguably done more to deserve it than Obama, the prize has a decidedly ambiguous history. In a classic article from 2009, Christopher Hitchens noted the prize's long history of being awarded 'for service to cynicism, opportunism, and hypocrisy.' Under this roll of names, he wrote, could be found those of Yasir Arafat and Henry Kissinger, and their Israeli and North Vietnamese counterparts, who were 'garlanded for 'peace' agreements that were not intended to hold and that led to later outbreaks of lethal violence.' The absurdity of Trump being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize is seemingly not an insuperable bar. In any event, whether the peace between Cambodia and Thailand is a lasting one remains to be seen. For now, the ceasefire appears to be holding, but the situation remains far from settled, with both nations making claims and counterclaims that have kept the temperature elevated. Thailand continues to hold 18 Cambodian prisoners that it reportedly captured on Tuesday morning, shortly after the ceasefire came into effect. Meanwhile, Cambodia's Ministry of National Defense yesterday claimed that Thailand was preparing to launch an 'imminent' attack along the border last night, and urged the world 'to act swiftly to prevent any escalation.' No attacks took place, and the situation along the border remained calm as of this morning, as officials from both nations gathered in Malaysia for a four-day meeting of the General Border Committee, aimed at de-escalating tensions.
Leaders
02-08-2025
- Politics
- Leaders
Cambodia Nominates Trump for Nobel Peace Prize After Ceasefire with Thailand
Cambodia will formally nominate US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize following his intervention in halting a recent border conflict with Thailand, Deputy Prime Minister Chanthol announced on Friday. When asked via text message to confirm Cambodia's plan, Chanthol simply replied, 'yes,' expressing gratitude towards Trump for his role in bringing peace to the region and called him 'President of Peace'. Chanthol emphasized that Trump deserves this prestigious nomination, which recognizes individuals or organizations that significantly advance fellowship between nations. Furthermore, Pakistan announced in June its intention to recommend Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, based on his efforts to help resolve tensions with India. Additionally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nominated Trump for the award last month, highlighting Trump's growing international recognition. Ceasefire Achieved Through Trump's Intervention Trump's recent phone call played a crucial role in breaking the deadlock that had persisted during the heaviest fighting between Thailand and Cambodia in over a decade. This intervention led to a ceasefire negotiated in Malaysia on 29 July following five days of clashes. Following the truce announcement, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt praised Trump's efforts on X, saying, 'Give him the Nobel Peace Prize!', underscoring Trump's pivotal role. The intense clashes resulted in at least 43 fatalities and displaced over 300,000 people on both sides of the border. Chanthol acknowledged Trump's significant contributions to peace, stating, 'We acknowledge his great efforts for peace.' He also noted that Cambodia appreciates a reduced tariff rate of 19%, further strengthening ties between the nations. Short link : Post Views: 12
Gulf Today
02-08-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Today
Thailand returns Cambodian soldiers ahead of border talks
Thailand's army sent home two Cambodian soldiers from a group of 20 on Friday, ahead of a key meeting in Malaysia next week where defence ministers and military commanders will hold talks aimed at maintaining a ceasefire along their disputed border. Long-simmering tensions on the Thai-Cambodian border exploded into clashes last week, including exchanges of artillery fire and jet fighter sorties, the worst fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbours in over a decade. The clashes claimed at least 43 lives and left over 300,000 people displaced. A truce was achieved on Monday, following a push by Malaysia and phone calls from USPresident Trump who threatened to hold off tariff negotiations with both countries until fighting stopped. Thailand and Cambodia previously faced tariffs of 36% for sending goods to the US, their largest export markets. Following further negotiations, they will now pay a 19% tariff, the White House announced on Friday. In Bangkok, Thai government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub told reporters on Friday that two Cambodian soldiers had been sent back, and the remaining 18 were being processed for violating immigration law. 'The Cambodian soldiers intruded on Thai territory and the army took them into custody, treating them based on humanitarian principles,' he said. In a statement, the Cambodian defence ministry asked Thailand to return all the detained soldiers. 'Cambodia is actively engaging in negotiations to secure their release, and reiterates its firm call for their immediate and unconditional release in accordance with the international humanitarian law,' a ministry spokesperson said. Defence ministers and military leaders from both sides, who were previously scheduled to meet in the Cambodian capital next week, will now hold talks in Malaysia, after Thailand sought a neutral venue for the meeting. The General Border Committee, which coordinates on border security, ceasefires, and troop deployments, will meet between Aug.4-7, Thai Acting Defence Minister Nattaphon Narkphanit told reporters. 'Defence attachés from other ASEAN countries will be invited as well as the defence attachés from the US and China,' a Malaysian government spokesperson told reporters, referring to the Southeast Asian regional bloc that the country currently chairs. Thailand and Cambodia have for decades claimed jurisdiction over undemarcated points along their 817-km land border, with ownership of several ancient temples at the centre of disputes. Meanwhile, Cambodia will nominate President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, its deputy prime minister said on Friday, following his direct intervention in halting the Southeast Asian country's recent border conflict with Thailand. Asked via text message to confirm Cambodia's plan to nominate Trump for the prize, Chanthol responded, 'yes.' Speaking to reporters earlier in the capital, Phnom Penh, Chanthol thanked Trump for bringing peace and said he deserved to be nominated for the prize, the highest-profile international award given to an individual or organisation deemed to have done the most to 'advance fellowship between nations.' Pakistan said in June that it would recommend Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in helping to resolve a conflict with India, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last month he had nominated Trump for the award. It was a call by Trump last week that broke a deadlock in efforts to end the heaviest fighting between Thailand and Cambodia in over a decade, leading to a ceasefire negotiated in Malaysia on Monday. Following the truce announcement, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said in a post on X that Trump made it happen. 'Give him the Nobel Peace Prize!,' she said. 'We acknowledge his great efforts for peace,' said Chanthol, also Cambodia's top trade negotiator, adding that his country was also grateful for a reduced tariff rate of 19%. Agencies
Filipino Times
02-08-2025
- Business
- Filipino Times
Cambodia to nominate US President Trump for Nobel Peace Prize over role in border truce with Thailand
Cambodia will nominate former U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in helping end a deadly border conflict with Thailand. Responding to a text inquiry, Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol replied 'Yes' when asked if Cambodia plans to formally nominate Trump for the prestigious international award. Speaking earlier to reporters in Phnom Penh, he thanked Trump for his intervention and credited him for facilitating peace between the two Southeast Asian neighbors. Trump's phone call last week reportedly broke the deadlock in negotiations, leading to a ceasefire signed in Malaysia on July 28, ending the most intense fighting between Cambodia and Thailand in more than a decade. The five-day conflict claimed at least 43 lives and displaced over 300,000 people on both sides of the border. 'We acknowledge his great efforts for peace,' said Chanthol, who also serves as Cambodia's top trade negotiator. He added that the country was grateful for Trump's support, both in diplomacy and trade. Chanthol also cited the U.S. government's decision to reduce a planned 49% tariff on Cambodian exports to 19%, a move that helped protect the country's critical garment and footwear industry. He said the initial proposal, which was later lowered to 36% before being further reduced, would have devastated the sector. Trump's potential nomination by Cambodia follows similar moves by Pakistan and Israel. In June, Pakistan said it would recommend Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in easing tensions with India. A month later, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also said he had nominated Trump for the same honor. The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded annually to individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to peace and international cooperation.
AsiaOne
02-08-2025
- Politics
- AsiaOne
Cambodia to nominate Donald Trump for Nobel Peace Prize, says deputy PM, Asia News
PHNOM PENH - Cambodia will nominate US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, its deputy prime minister said on Friday (Aug 1), following his direct intervention in halting the Southeast Asian country's recent border conflict with Thailand. Asked via text message to confirm Cambodia's plan to nominate Trump for the prize, Chanthol responded, "yes." Speaking to reporters earlier in the capital, Phnom Penh, Chanthol thanked Trump for bringing peace and said he deserved to be nominated for the prize, the highest-profile international award given to an individual or organisation deemed to have done the most to "advance fellowship between nations". Pakistan said in June that it would recommend Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in helping to resolve a conflict with India, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last month he had nominated Trump for the award. It was a call by Trump last week that broke a deadlock in efforts to end the heaviest fighting between Thailand and Cambodia in over a decade, leading to a ceasefire negotiated in Malaysia on Monday, Reuters has reported. Following the truce announcement, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said in a post on X that Trump made it happen. "Give him the Nobel Peace Prize!," she said. At least 43 people have been killed in the intense clashes, which lasted five days and displaced more than 300,000 people on both sides of the border. "We acknowledge his great efforts for peace," said Chanthol, also Cambodia's top trade negotiator, adding that his country was also grateful for a reduced tariff rate of 19 per cent. Washington had initially threatened a tariff of 49 per cent, later reducing it to 36 per cent, a level that would have decimated Cambodia's vital garment and footwear sector, Chanthol told Reuters in an interview earlier on Friday. [[nid:719959]]
