U.S. President Donald Trump departed Malaysia on Monday, heading to Japan for a three-day official visit expected to focus on trade and defense. The trip follows a day of high-profile diplomacy in Kuala Lumpur, where Trump signed several economic deals and brokered a peace agreement between Thailand and Cambodia.

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Air Force One took off from Kuala Lumpur International Airport shortly after 10:00 a.m. local time (02:00 GMT), concluding Trump’s visit to Malaysia. During the trip, he attended the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit and met with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, amid tensions over a 50% U.S. tariff on Brazilian exports.

Dressed in a blue suit and yellow-toned tie, Trump waved from the red carpet before boarding the plane, making no remarks to the press.

On his Truth Social account, he wrote: “Leaving Malaysia, a great and very vibrant country. I have signed major trade and rare earth deals, and yesterday, more importantly, I signed a peace treaty between Thailand and Cambodia. NO WARS! Millions of lives saved. An honor to have done it. Now, on to Japan!”

The White House confirmed that Trump is scheduled to arrive in Tokyo later on Monday. His agenda includes meetings with Emperor Naruhito and Japan’s recently appointed Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Talks are expected to center on trade relations and regional defense cooperation — key points in Washington’s strategic engagement across Asia.

At the ASEAN summit, Trump announced what he called a “historic peace agreement” between Thailand and Cambodia, following a brief border conflict in July that left around 50 people dead. The accord was presented as a diplomatic success during a forum marked by competing interests among regional powers.

Trump also signed several commercial agreements involving rare earth minerals, a resource vital for global technology and energy industries.

In Tokyo, Prime Minister Takaichi has signaled close alignment with Washington ahead of Trump’s arrival. For the newly elected leader, the visit represents an early diplomatic test amid lingering questions about the direction of U.S. policy in Asia, particularly regarding defense cooperation and trade access.

Trump’s visit to Japan is the next step in his Asian tour aimed at deepening U.S. economic partnerships and reaffirming strategic influence in a region increasingly defined by multipolar competition.

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