(Phnom Penh): Sun Chanthol, First Vice Chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), confirmed that Cambodia will continue negotiating tariff reductions with the US. This confirmation follows a decision by US President Donald Trump to lower Cambodia’s tariff rates from 49 per cent to 36 per cent.

The first vice chairman spoke on 8 July 2025 at a press conference following the Cambodia-US tariff negotiations.

“Although the current rate stands at 36%, we’ve achieved the most favourable outcome among 14 countries in similar negotiations,” he said. “From the original 49%, we secured a 13-percentage point cut, equating to a 26.27% reduction. That’s nearly 27%, a result we’re proud of, made possible through honest, transparent negotiations under the leadership of Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet.”

Sun Chanthol contrasted Cambodia’s success with outcomes in other countries. For instance, Malaysia saw its tariff increase from 24% to 25%.

According to Sun Chanthol, the 36 per cent tariff rate is set to take effect permanently on 1 August 2025, unless further negotiations with the US take place. However, based on an official letter from President Donald Trump to Samdech Thipadei, the US president has expressed willingness to open the door for additional negotiations before 1 August 2025.

The first vice chairman added that Cambodia’s negotiation team is fully prepared whether to engage directly in the US or through virtual means with the goal of reducing the tariff rate below 36 per cent and expanding trade opportunities between the two countries.

He further noted that there are several key points Cambodia intends to bring up in the next round of talks with the US.
=FRESH NEWS