Cambodian Officials Meet U.S. Trade Representative to Advance Bilateral Trade Agreement

]WASHINGTON (Oct. 10, 2025) — A high-level Cambodian delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol and Minister of Commerce Cham Nimul met with U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer in Washington this week to discuss progress on a reciprocal trade agreement and explore future steps to strengthen bilateral economic ties.

The meetings, held from Oct. 6 to 9 in the U.S. capital, were part of ongoing negotiations aimed at finalizing the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade. Both sides welcomed what they described as significant progress, according to a statement from Cambodia’s Royal Government Spokesperson Unit.

Discussions focused on expanding trade and investment cooperation between the Kingdom of Cambodia and the United States, with particular emphasis on reducing trade barriers and enhancing market access.

As of July 31, Cambodia secured a reduction in reciprocal tariff rates from 49% to 19%, following seven virtual conferences and three in-person negotiation rounds.

Cambodian officials said the revised rate would improve the country’s competitiveness, sustain existing factories and attract new investment. The Royal Government of Cambodia, under the leadership of Prime Minister Hun Manet, reiterated its commitment to working closely with the United States to foster a mutually beneficial trade and investment relationship.

Bilateral trade between Cambodia and the United States reached $8.5 billion in the first eight months of 2025, a 23.6% increase compared to the same period last year, according to the General Department of Customs and Excise.

Cambodian (https://www.kampucheathmey.com/kpt-english/986184) exports accounted for more than $8 billion of that total, up 23.2% year-on-year, while U.S. imports to Cambodia totaled $243 million, a 39.8% increase.

Cambodia’s key exports to the U.S. included garments, travel goods, bicycles and consumer products. In return, the United States shipped automobiles, machinery, jewelry, cosmetics, electronics and household items to Cambodia.

Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol said Cambodia would continue negotiations with the U.S. on priority sectors such as garments, apparel and footwear, noting that these products are not manufactured domestically in the United States and pose no competitive threat to American companies.

“We will work to lower the tariff below 19%,” Sun said, adding that deeper trade ties would help sustain Cambodia’s growth and reinforce its role as a regional manufacturing hub.