Cambodia’s Private Sector Urges United Action to Safeguard U.S. Export Market

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Dec. 23, 2025) — Cambodia’s private sector has warned that falsifying the origin of exported goods could endanger the country’s access to the U.S. market, which accounts for about 43 percent of total exports, urging stronger coordination between government agencies and businesses to safeguard trade credibility.

At a Dec. 22 seminar on preventing origin fraud, Cambodia Chamber of Commerce President Kith Meng called on ministries to combine trade facilitation with strict enforcement, warning that violations could trigger U.S. investigations and severely damage Cambodia’s export prospects.

Kun Nhem, Minister Delegate Attached to the Prime Minister and Director General of the General Department of Customs and Excise, said protecting the U.S. market requires collective action from exporters, logistics firms and customs brokers. He stressed that compliance with rules of origin is critical to maintaining tariff preferences and investor confidence.

Officials added that Cambodia is considering a cooperation framework with U.S. Customs, aligned with World Customs Organization standards, to strengthen information sharing, joint investigations and enforcement. The move is aimed at reinforcing confidence in Cambodian exports and ensuring continued access to one of the country’s most important markets.

According to report from Ministry of Commerce, Cambodia–U.S. bilateral trade reached USD 10.7 billion in the first 10 months of 2025, up 27 percent from the same period last year. Cambodia’s exports to the U.S. totaled USD 10.4 billion, while imports from the U.S. rose to USD 326 million.