Phnom Penh: Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet has expressed optimism about the upcoming second round of trade negotiations between Cambodia and the United States, hoping for a positive outcome. The Premier made the remarks during a weekly plenary cabinet meeting held this morning at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, during the first round of negotiations on the Cambodia-U.S. Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, which took place on May 13-15, 2025, in Washington, D.C., the Ad Hoc Working Group and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative exchanged their views in a frank and constructive manner. This exchange occurred in an atmosphere of mutual understanding, focusing on ways to further strengthen bilateral trade and investment, with in-depth discussions on the draft Agreement.
The Cambodian Prime Minister noted that the initial negotiations primarily served to establish positions and confirm key issues, characterizing the process as inherently complex and time-consuming, a challenge common to all nations. He also commended the Ad Hoc Cambodia-U.S. Bilateral Relations Coordination Working Group, 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, for their dedicated efforts.
The second round of negotiations is scheduled for the first week of June 2025, also in Washington, D.C.