AKP Phnom Penh, March 03, 2026 --

In a significant move to bolster Cambodia-U.S. ties, Cambodian Permanent Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Vongsey Vissoth and U.S. Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Ms. Bridgette Walker met today to outline a strategic roadmap for enhanced trade, security, and regional stability.

The high-level working session at the Office of the Council of Ministers signaled a recalibration of the bilateral relationship, focusing on economic modernisation and the resolution of shared security challenges.

Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Vongsey Vissoth opened the dialogue by praising the "positive trajectory" of U.S.-Cambodia relations. He pointedly credited the U.S. administration’s mediation in the 2025 Kuala Lumpur Peace Deal.

H.E. Vissoth reaffirmed the Royal Government’s commitment to global partnership under Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, highlighting Cambodia’s proactive role as a founding member of the freshly-established Board of Peace.  

Central to the discussions was the upcoming 4th Cambodia-U.S. Dialogue on State and Private Sector Cooperation. Ms. Walker emphasised that the U.S. is eager to see a "level playing field" that attracts high-caliber American firms.

"Economic diversification is fundamental to building national resilience," H.E. Vongsey  Vissoth stated, noting that Cambodia is specifically seeking U.S. investment that integrates local industries into global supply chains and adds high technical value to the workforce.

The Deputy Prime Minister called for direct, "open-door" consultations with American investors to dismantle regulatory hurdles and improve infrastructure, aiming to make Cambodia a primary destination for diversified U.S. capital.

Addressing international concerns, he labelled online scams a "top priority" for the Royal Government. He pushed back against the perception that the issue is unique to Cambodia, characterising it as a sophisticated, transnational plague affecting the entire global economy.

To safeguard the nation's reputation and its tourism sector, H.E. Deputy Prime Minister outlined a rigorous four-pronged strategy currently in effect: 1. Prevention: Hardening digital infrastructure; 2. Suppression: Aggressive law enforcement action against criminal hubs; 3. Education: Raising public awareness to diminish the victim pool; 4. Partnership: Strengthening intelligence sharing with international allies like the U.S.

In response, Ms. Walker commended the "positive evolution" of the relationship and the consistent dialogue between Cambodia and the U.S.

By K. Rithy Reak