On the morning of August 1, 2025, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said on his Facebook page that the United States had set an additional reciprocal tariff of 19% on Cambodian imports covered by the measure.
The United States announced an initial reciprocal tariff rate of 49% on April 2. On July 7, it announced a proposed rate of 36%. A July 31 executive order set the additional rate at 19% effective August 7, 2025, US Eastern time, subject to exceptions. Hun Manet called the decision good news for Cambodia’s people and economy. The following are excerpts from his message:
“I would like to thank President Donald Trump for his personal attention to initiating and encouraging a ceasefire between the Cambodian and Thai armed forces, and for continuing to monitor its implementation personally until lasting peace is achieved and relations between Cambodia and Thailand are normalized. The president also showed understanding for Cambodia, giving us an opportunity to continue strengthening economic development and trade relations between Cambodia and the United States.”
“In my telephone conversations with President Donald Trump on July 26 and 28, I stressed how important peace and development are for Cambodia because our country has only recently emerged from more than 500 years of protracted internal conflict. I also asked the president to show understanding by lowering tariffs on imports from Cambodia to a level that would let our country continue developing and improve our people’s living standards.”
“Donald Trump showed great interest in Cambodia’s painful history and a willingness to help Cambodians achieve peace and give Cambodia an opportunity to continue developing. In response to my request for tariff relief, the president told me on July 28 that he would review it and make a decision, and said he would make Cambodia happy (‘will make you happy’). Today he decided to reduce the tariff rate on Cambodian exports to the United States to 19%.”
“I would like to take this opportunity to commend the team negotiating reciprocal tariffs with the United States, led by Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol, and all those involved who worked hard in the negotiations and achieved this positive result.”
Preah Sihanouk Provincial Television. By: ចិន្តា ទីទិ
