U.S. Lifts Arms Embargo on Cambodia, Revives Military Exercises as Trump Meets Hun Manet

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (Oct.27, 2025) — The United States has lifted its arms embargo on Cambodia and announced the immediate resumption of the long-suspended “Angkor Sentinel” joint military exercise, following a landmark meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.

The decision, confirmed in a White House statement, cited Cambodia’s “diligent pursuit of peace and security” as the basis for ending the embargo, which had been in place since December 2021. The move marks a significant shift in U.S. defense policy toward Cambodia and signals renewed military cooperation.
Angkor Sentinel, a bilateral defense exercise last held in 2017, will be reinstated as part of efforts to deepen strategic ties. The United States also pledged to expand training opportunities for Cambodian officers at elite institutions, including West Point and the U.S. Air Force Academy.

The meeting produced additional agreements to combat transnational crime, with both countries committing to target organized criminal networks, particularly narcotics traffickers and online scam operations. The White House said such scams defraud Americans of more than $10 billion annually.

The original embargo was imposed amid concerns over China’s growing military presence in Cambodia and allegations of human rights violations. The reversal reflects a recalibration of U.S. engagement in Southeast Asia.

by Hun Sirivadh