AKP Phnom Penh, August 28, 2025 —

Samdech Maha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, President of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia, received here at the National Assembly Palace on Aug. 28 a delegation of Members of the United States Congress led by Hon. Beth Van Duyne, Congresswoman from Texas.

The meeting was conducted in a spirit of friendship and solidarity, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthening parliamentary cooperation, advancing bilateral relations, and safeguarding peace and stability in the region.

In her remarks, Samdech Khuon Sudary said the visit “symbolises the strong bonds of friendship between the two nations” and comes at a crucial time as Cambodia addresses the border conflict with Thailand. 

She recalled that Cambodia–U.S. relations, first established in the 1950s, have grown steadily and have recently been elevated to a new level.

Samdech expressed appreciation to U.S. President Donald Trump for his timely intervention in calling for an immediate ceasefire during recent border clashes, which she said helped save thousands of lives on both sides. 

She further thanked the role of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, as ASEAN Chair, in hosting peace talks with the active participation of China and other partners. She noted with pride that Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet had formally nominated President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.

“Peace is the foundation of socio-economic development.” She stressed that Cambodia aspires to become a high-income status country by 2050, a vision that cannot be realised without lasting peace and strong cooperation with other countries, especially ASEAN members. Having endured years of conflict in the past, she affirmed that “Cambodia places the highest value on peace,” she said. 

On economic cooperation, Samdech highlighted the reduction of U.S. tariffs on Cambodian exports—from 49 percent to 19 percent—as a positive step in bilateral trade. 

She underlined Cambodia’s strategic role within ASEAN and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and voiced hope for expanded cooperation in investment, technology, cultural exchange, and tourism.

Hon. Beth Van Duyne, who last visited Cambodia three years ago, expressed delight at returning and reiterated that the purpose of her delegation’s visit was to deepen cooperation in trade, education, technology, and peace. 

She observed that the people of both Cambodia and Thailand want peace, and emphasised that the United States sees “great investment potential in Cambodia due to its resources, port access, and raw materials.” She also called for stronger legislative ties between the U.S. Congress and Cambodia’s National Assembly.

During the meeting, Hon. Lork Kheng, Chairwoman of the Commission on Public Health, Social Affairs, Veterans, Youth Rehabilitation, Labour, Vocational Training, and Women’s Affairs, appealed for peace, recalling Cambodia’s suffering under past conflicts. “Cambodia is poor and seeks only peace, not war,” she said, urging the United States and ASEAN to continue supporting long-term stability in the region.

Both sides agreed that Cambodia–U.S. ties, built on decades of friendship, will continue to deepen, bringing stability, prosperity, and new opportunities to both nations and peoples.

By Chea Vannak