Cambodia Eyes Export Boom Under New 19% U.S. Tariff Agreement

AKP Phnom Penh, February 19, 2026

During a meeting between Prime Minister Hun Manet and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on February 18, 2026, in Washington, D.C., the two sides pledged to expand bilateral commerce and investment, marking a thaw in economic relations between the two nations.

Held during the Cambodian Prime Minister's visit to Washington to participate in the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace, the meeting underscores a major pivot in U.S.-Cambodia relations, moving from years of tension toward a more transactional and collaborative economic partnership. The Cambodian government is currently fast-tracking domestic legal procedures to ensure the trade pact is fully operational.

Greer noted that trade between the U.S. and Cambodia grew by nearly 29 per cent in 2025, a shift he attributed to rising investor confidence.

Prime Minister Hun Manet welcomed a new deal establishing a roughly 19 per cent tariff rate on Cambodian exports to the U.S. market.

The Prime Minister also credited U.S. President Donald Trump for supporting peace efforts that led to a December 2025 ceasefire ending border tensions between Cambodia and Thailand.

Both officials cited a significant rise in U.S. foreign direct investment (FDI) into the Southeast Asian nation.

"This growth reflects strong trust and fruitful cooperation," said Greer, according to the Cambodian government's statement.

Prime Minister Hun Manet reaffirmed that Cambodia is fast-tracking domestic procedures to ensure the full implementation of the trade pact.