Phnom Penh, Cambodia – Bilateral trade between Cambodia and the United States surged to over $13 billion in 2025, marking a significant 29 percent increase compared to 2024. This robust growth underscores the deepening economic relationship between the two nations, which have both affirmed their commitment to further enhancing trade and bilateral investment.
The commitment was reiterated during a key meeting between Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Hun Manet and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The discussion took place in Washington D.C., on February 18, where Prime Minister Hun Manet was leading a Royal Government delegation.
During their engagement, Mr. Jamieson Greer lauded Cambodia’s diligent efforts in fostering the steadily progressing bilateral relations with the United States, particularly within the commerce sector. This commendation was detailed in a government press release. Indeed, the trade volume between the two countries in 2025 continued its upward trajectory, increasing by approximately 29 percent compared to the previous year. Concurrently, U.S. investment in Cambodia also witnessed a notable rise. Mr. Greer highlighted this growth, stating, ‘This is the fruit of trust in the cooperation between our two countries,’ in his remarks to Prime Minister Hun Manet.
Prime Minister Hun Manet, in turn, highly appreciated the work of the U.S. trade team in successfully negotiating the reciprocal trade agreement between Cambodia and the United States. This agreement resulted in a 19 percent tariff rate on Cambodian goods entering the U.S. market, a crucial factor in maintaining market access for key Cambodian exports.
Both Prime Minister Hun Manet and Mr. Jamieson Greer expressed confidence that through continued bilateral efforts, Cambodia-U.S. relations will strengthen further. They anticipate a sustained boost in bilateral trade and an increase in U.S. investment in Cambodia.
Prime Minister Hun Manet assured Mr. Greer that Cambodia remains dedicated to completing all necessary procedures to fully implement the reciprocal trade agreement. This commitment aims to ensure mutual benefits for both nations. Furthermore, both parties discussed various potential sectors that could further enhance their relationship and cooperation, seeking optimal outcomes for both countries and resolving any outstanding issues. The overarching goal is to foster even greater growth in bilateral trade flows and U.S. investment into Cambodia.
For the full year 2025, Cambodia’s total trade with the United States reached approximately $13,147 million, marking a 29.2 percent surge over 2024 figures. Cambodian exports to the U.S. market accounted for $12,730 million, an impressive 28.5 percent increase. Meanwhile, imports from the U.S. stood at $417 million, experiencing an even more substantial growth of 57.8 percent. These figures were recorded by the General Department of Customs and Excise of Cambodia.
These trade statistics confirm the United States’ enduring position as a major market for Cambodian exports, including garments, textiles, footwear, and travel goods. According to Mr. Penn Sovicheat, spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce, this market access has been effectively maintained through successful bilateral trade negotiations that resulted in the 19 percent counter-tariff rate.
In parallel, the Ministry of Commerce rigorously enforces Rules of Origin for exports to the United States. This is achieved through the implementation of Certificates of Origin (OCL) for 120 key potential Cambodian products destined for the American market, as detailed by Mr. Penn Sovicheat during the 2025 annual trade work review meeting on January 8, 2026.
As of early 2026, Cambodia has been subject to the 19 percent counter-tariff from the United States for approximately five months. While Cambodia continues to achieve export growth in this global market, it also remains actively engaged in negotiations with the U.S. to reduce the tariff rate for certain priority sectors to below 19 percent.
During the closing ceremony of the Ministry of Commerce’s annual review meeting on the afternoon of January 9, 2026, Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol, who is also the First Vice-President of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), affirmed, ‘We will continue to negotiate with the United States to secure further counter-tariff reductions on products in the garment, footwear, and travel goods sectors.’
Mr. Sun Chanthol expressed optimism that export products from these sectors to the U.S. market could see rates lower than 19 percent, reasoning that the United States is not a producer of goods in these specific industries. He elaborated, ‘We will continue discussions with the U.S. side to reduce the counter-tariff further from 19 percent. A zero percent rate would be ideal, as the United States does not manufacture these products. We do not believe the U.S. is involved in making bags or tailoring clothes. Therefore, in these sectors, we are actively pushing and requesting the United States to consider reducing this counter-tariff rate.’
It is noteworthy that on August 1, 2025, Cambodia implemented a zero percent (0%) customs duty on goods originating from and imported from the United States, reciprocally lowering its own import duties in response to the U.S. reducing its counter-tariff from 49 percent to the current 19 percent.
