Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet has officially nominated U.S. President Donald J. Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, citing his pivotal role in brokering a ceasefire that ended recent hostilities between Cambodia and Thailand. In a formal submission to the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Manet praised Trump’s direct diplomatic involvement, notably a phone call on July 26 to leaders of both nations, which reportedly led to a breakthrough agreement during peace talks in Malaysia on July 28.
The five-day border conflict, one of the region’s most violent in recent years, left at least 43 people dead and displaced more than 300,000 civilians. What began as an exchange of small-arms fire rapidly escalated into heavy artillery shelling and air strikes. Trump’s intervention, according to Cambodian officials, was instrumental in convincing both sides to de-escalate tensions and commit to peace.
Alongside his diplomatic efforts, Trump also played a key role in easing economic pressure on Cambodia by facilitating the rollback of proposed U.S. tariffs on Cambodian goods from 49% to 19% a move that helped safeguard the country’s vital garment export sector. Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol previously hinted at the nomination, framing Trump’s involvement as both a humanitarian and economic gesture of significance.
Trump now joins a growing list of leaders who have been nominated for their roles in resolving global tensions. While the Nobel Peace Prize shortlist is kept confidential for 50 years, the Cambodian nomination comes amid increasing recognition of Trump’s efforts from other countries, including Pakistan and Israel. Observers suggest Cambodia’s move is not only a show of gratitude but also a calculated diplomatic step to strengthen ties with Washington amid evolving regional dynamics.
