AKP Phnom Penh, May 15, 2025 --

The Ad Hoc Cambodia-U.S. Bilateral Relations Coordination Working Group and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative have concluded their first round of negotiations on the Cambodia-U.S. Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, held on May 13-15 in Washington, D.C.

The Cambodian side was led by H.E. SUN Chanthol, Deputy Prime Minister and First Vice President of the Council for the Development of Cambodia and H.E. Mrs. CHAM Nimul, Minister of Commerce, while the U.S. side was headed by Ms. Sarah Ellerman, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

According to a press release of the Royal Government Spokesperson Unit made public this morning, during this round of negotiations, both sides exchanged their views in a frank and constructive manner in an atmosphere of mutual understanding on ways to further strengthening bilateral trade and investment and had in-depth discussions on the draft Agreement.

Both sides agreed to hold the second round of negotiations in the first week of June, 2025, in Washington, D.C., the source added.

“The Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia, led by Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei HUN Manet, Prime Minister will continue to cooperate closely with the United States of America to achieve a mutually beneficial trade and investment relationship,” re-emphasised the Royal Government Spokesperson Unit.

Deputy Prime Minister and First Vice President of CDC H.E. Sun Chanthol speaks to reporters at Phnom Penh International Airport before his departure for the trade negotations in Washington, D.C.

By C. Nika