November 25, 2025
PHNOM PENH – Cambodian economists expect that remarks by US Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne about the strong Cambodia–US relationship offer hope that Cambodia may gain further positive outcomes from ongoing negotiations to reduce reciprocal tariffs on Cambodian exports to the US.
Van Duyne, US Representative for Texas’s 24th Congressional District, appeared optimistic about Cambodia–US tariff negotiations.
This morning, November 24, the congresswoman took to her social media to express her pleasure at meeting and holding discussions with Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol in Washington, D.C.
“As co-chair of the Congressional Cambodia Caucus, I have been engaged with my counterparts in Cambodia over the last several years, I know how much they value this new agreement and the stronger partnership it represents with the US,” she said.
In an effort to reduce its international trade deficit, in early April the US government announced new tariffs for all countries exporting goods to the US. In the initial announcement, the US set a reciprocal tariff rate of 49% for Cambodia, one of the highest rates imposed on any country. However, following negotiations, the rate was reduced to 36%, before finally lowering it again to 19%.
Economist Lor Vichet told The Post on November 24 that Cambodia should obtain additional positive outcomes from the US decision to reduce its reciprocal tariff rate to 19%, given Cambodia’s strong commitment to adhering to the terms of the ceasefire agreement arranged by US President Donald Trump, with mediation from the ASEAN rotating chair, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
“Cambodia has consistently shown goodwill in ending conflict and resolving land-border disputes with Thailand through diplomacy and international law, rather than through armed force. The Kingdom deserves additional positive results from further reciprocal tariffs negotiations,” he said.
Vichet further argued that when reciprocal tariff rates fall, both countries stand to benefit.
“This is a scenario in which both Cambodia and the US can gain mutual benefit. For Cambodia, investors who are exploring or evaluating the possibility of foreign direct investment will be even more encouraged to open factories or businesses,” he noted.
On November 5, Chanthol, first vice-president of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), led a Cambodian delegation — including senior officials from the CDC, the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation, and the Cambodian ambassador to the US and Mexico — to meet with congresswoman Van Duyne.
The purpose of the meeting was to strengthen trade relations and seek support from the US Congress for American investment in Cambodia’s technology and industrial sectors, as well as for reducing various trade barriers. The discussions also covered continued efforts to enhance and expand cooperation that brings mutual benefit to the peoples and economic and trade sectors of both countries.