Done deal: Anwar and Trump during an expanded bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. — Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR: President Donald Trump has reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to the Indo-Pacific, saying Washington is “100%” behind Asean.
“The United States is committed to being a strong partner and a friend of Asean nations for many generations to come.
“One year ago, we were in a different position, but now [we] are in the best position we have ever been in,” he said in his opening remarks at the 13th Asean-US Summit coinciding with the 47th Asean Summit here yesterday.
Describing the period now as the “Golden Age of America”, Trump said all sides could create prosperity on both sides of the Pacific Ocean and seize new opportunities for their peoples.
“It has really been an amazing experience. I’ve been here for a day, but it has been an amazing experience to see some of the things that we have done.
“And the Prime Minister [Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim] made sure I saw everything, every single thing. We even rode in the car together,” he said, referring to his presidential vehicle, “The Beast”.
Commending Anwar and all Asean leaders for holding the summit, he said: “As you know, this has been an incredibly successful day for Malaysia. It is an honour to be here.
“I promised I’d be here when the Prime Minister [Anwar] helped us so beautifully with our peace treaty, among two very strong countries, I think we can say this right now.”
Earlier, Trump witnessed the Thailand-Cambodia peace deal, known as the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord, together with Anwar.
Trump also congratulated Asean countries for agreeing to send observers to ensure lasting peace and settlement between Thailand and Cambodia, adding that the signing represented one of eight conflicts that he had helped end in eight months.
“That also includes the end of the war in Gaza. ... [An] agreement with 59 countries involved,” he added, singling out Indonesia for its role in that effort.
