Cambodia first ASEAN nation to join Trump's peace council

Monday 26 January 2026 - 14:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Cambodia first ASEAN nation to join Trump's peace council

Cambodia will join President Donald Trump's Peace Council, Prime Minister Hun Manet announced on Facebook Monday, making his country the first ASEAN member to commit to the controversial international body. The move follows an invitation Trump extended to the Southeast Asian leader on January 16, urging Cambodia to become a "founding member state." "This participation reflects Cambodia's goodwill and firm commitment to promoting global peace," Hun Manet stated.

The decision marks a bold diplomatic gamble for the kingdom, balancing ties with its top economic partner China against US efforts to expand influence in Southeast Asia. China supplied over 52 percent of Cambodia's foreign direct investment in 2025, while US imports absorbed about 42 percent of its total exports, positioning Washington as its largest non-Asian trade partner. Ro Vannak, an international relations professor, told Cambodianess that Washington's outreach underscores Cambodia's image as a peace advocate within ASEAN while highlighting US pushes to counter China's growing regional sway.

Trump formally launched the Peace Council at a January 22 signing ceremony during the Davos World Economic Forum in Switzerland. Its charter designates Trump as "president for life" with powers to invite nations, appoint members, and issue resolutions. Countries seeking permanent seats must contribute $1 billion; otherwise, they receive three-year renewable terms at the president's discretion.

Analysts raise concerns over participation costs and commitments. Ear Sophal, associate professor at Arizona State University's Thunderbird School of Global Management, warned that the $1 billion permanent membership fee proves "fiscally impossible" for Cambodia. "Whichever path is chosen, the risk lies in signaling alignment with a body widely seen by diplomats as a Trump-centric alternative to the UN system," Sophal noted, adding that Cambodia has long prized multilateral institutions for shielding small states. Vannak cautioned that joining could complicate Cambodia's neutral foreign policy and draw criticism from ASEAN partners and China, especially as the council faces skepticism from US allies viewing it as a UN rival. France, Germany, Norway, and the UK have declined invitations, with France voicing worries over usurping UN roles. At Davos signing, 19 nations had joined, including Turkey, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.