Cambodia Prepares for US Trade Talks Amid 49% Tariff Shock
Prime Minister Hun Manet Activates Negotiation Team, Proposes Major US Tariff Cuts
Cambodia has mobilised a high-level delegation and proposed significant tariff reductions in a bid to negotiate a sweeping 49 percent tariff recently imposed on its exports by US President Donald Trump. Prime Minister Hun Manet revealed that Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol and Commerce Minister Cham Nimul are prepared to fly to the US as soon as talks are confirmed. The Kingdom has responded swiftly, proposing to cut tariffs on 19 US import lines, covering around 85 product categories.
Manet shared that preparations had begun two months before Trump’s official announcement on April 2. Of Cambodia’s 1,868 tariff lines, 211 apply to US imports, with some, including alcohol, currently taxed at 35 percent. These are among the items Cambodia is offering to reduce to 5 percent to show goodwill and readiness for balanced trade. Manet stated that despite criticism from the opposition, the government acted decisively but with caution, sending formal negotiation letters to Washington just 41 hours after the tariff hike was announced.
The prime minister criticised misinformation from opposition figures and stressed the need for unity during times of national difficulty. Lor Vichet, vice-president of the Cambodia Chinese Commerce Association, added that the tariff shock may be part of a US strategy to renegotiate trade terms globally. He said the move could benefit Cambodian consumers and urged the Kingdom to push for broader trade agreements with Washington.
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Manet shared that preparations had begun two months before Trump’s official announcement on April 2. Of Cambodia’s 1,868 tariff lines, 211 apply to US imports, with some, including alcohol, currently taxed at 35 percent. These are among the items Cambodia is offering to reduce to 5 percent to show goodwill and readiness for balanced trade. Manet stated that despite criticism from the opposition, the government acted decisively but with caution, sending formal negotiation letters to Washington just 41 hours after the tariff hike was announced.
The prime minister criticised misinformation from opposition figures and stressed the need for unity during times of national difficulty. Lor Vichet, vice-president of the Cambodia Chinese Commerce Association, added that the tariff shock may be part of a US strategy to renegotiate trade terms globally. He said the move could benefit Cambodian consumers and urged the Kingdom to push for broader trade agreements with Washington.
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