AKP Phnom Penh, May 01, 2025 --

Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet this morning provided an update on ongoing negotiations between Cambodia and the United States regarding new U.S. tariff rates on Cambodian exports.

Speaking during the annual Labour Day gathering with civil servants, workers, and employees at the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, Samdech Thipadei confirmed that Cambodia’s negotiating team held its first meeting with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) on April 16. A second round of negotiations is scheduled for tomorrow, May 2.

He emphasised that so far, no country has succeeded in securing changes to the new U.S. tariff structure, as the process is both complex and challenging.

“For Cambodia, we are working hard to safeguard our economy, trade, and the jobs of our people,” the Prime Minister stressed.

The negotiations follow the announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump on April 2 of new reciprocal tariffs on several trading partners. Under this policy, a 49 percent tariff was initially imposed on imports from Cambodia.

However, on April 9, the U.S. government approved a 90-day temporary suspension of the full tariff, reducing it to 10 percent for countries—including Cambodia— that have officially sought to negotiate a solution with the U.S.

To lead the discussions, the Cambodian government has established an ad hoc interministerial negotiation task force headed by H.E. Sun Chanthol, Deputy Prime Minister and First Vice President of the Council for the Development of Cambodia.

By C. Nika