Trump Heaps Praise on Prabowo at Inaugural Board of Peace Summit

President Prabowo Subianto attended the inaugural Board of Peace summit alongside US President Donald Trump in Washington DC on Thursday 19 February 2026.

During the opening session, Trump singled out Prabowo for effusive praise in front of representatives from more than 40 countries gathered at the US Institute of Peace.

“A man that I really like a lot, he is definitely tough, I don’t wanna fight him — President Prabowo of Indonesia,” Trump told the assembled leaders. He further described Indonesia as a great nation and said Prabowo had done an excellent job and was respected by everyone.

When asked about Trump’s remarks at a separate press briefing after the meeting, Prabowo laughed and characterised the praise as light-hearted banter.

Prabowo used the summit to announce Indonesia’s commitment to contribute a significant number of troops — up to 8,000 or more if necessary — to the International Stabilisation Force in Gaza, Palestine.

The Board of Peace was created by Trump to oversee implementation of the Gaza ceasefire plan. At the inaugural meeting, member states collectively pledged USD 7 billion for reconstruction in Gaza, with the United States committing USD 10 billion to the initiative. Countries including Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, and Albania pledged to send troops for the Gaza stabilisation force, whilst Egypt and Jordan committed to training police for the effort.

On the sidelines of the summit, the White House announced a reciprocal trade agreement with Indonesia. Under the deal, Southeast Asia’s largest economy will eliminate tariffs on 99 per cent of American goods, whilst the United States will maintain tariffs on most Indonesian goods at 19 per cent.