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On October 26, 2025, at the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, US President Donald Trump co-signed a ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia to end deadly border clashes. The deal includes military de-escalation, removal of heavy weapons, prisoner release, and ASEAN observer deployment. Despite the truce, core territorial disputes remain unresolved, and tensions persist amid trade negotiations and regional diplomacy.
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On October 26, 2025, East Timor officially became ASEAN's 11th member after a 14-year application process. The small nation of 1.4 million people gains access to regional trade, investment, and integration opportunities amid US-China rivalry. Leaders hailed this as a milestone for regional unity and economic diversification for East Timor’s fragile economy reliant on oil and gas.
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ASEAN and China signed the upgraded Free Trade Area 3.0 during the ASEAN summit, covering over 2 billion people. The agreement aims to enhance regional economic integration, digital trade, and sustainability, amid ongoing US-China tensions. Leaders also discussed recent military incidents and bilateral relations.