Phnom penh: Deputy Prime Minister and First Vice Chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia, H.E. Sun Chanthol, hosted a meeting with the newly appointed Charg© d'Affaires a.i. of the U.S. Embassy to Cambodia, Ms. Aleksandra Zittle. The meeting was centered on enhancing bilateral economic and trade cooperation between Cambodia and the United States.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, both parties expressed their commitment to bolstering economic relations. The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized the significance of the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART), marking Cambodia as the first nation in the region to finalize this pact, which aims to enhance business predictability and promote freer trade. Additionally, the Air Transport Agreement, or Open Skies Agreement, signed in Washington, D.C. on June 30, 2026, was highlighted. This agreement represents the first of its kind between the two nations, aiming to modernize civil aviation, facilitate direct flights, and strengthen air cargo services.
Ms. Aleksandra Zittle expressed her gratitude for the warm reception and praised Cambodia's socio-economic advancements since her previous tenure as Political-Economic Chief at the U.S. Embassy. She acknowledged the Royal Government's efforts, led by H.E. Sun Chanthol, in maintaining peace, stability, and economic resilience despite global challenges.
Discussions during the meeting also encompassed bilateral trade, U.S. investments in Cambodia, and initiatives like the Funan Techo Integrated Water Management Project. They also addressed efforts to combat online scams and Cambodia's stance on resolving border disputes with Thailand peacefully through international law and existing bilateral legal mechanisms.
Trade between Cambodia and the United States saw significant growth, reaching over US$7.4 billion in the first half of 2026, a 31.4 percent increase compared to the previous year. Cambodian exports to the U.S. rose by 29.8 percent to US$5.6 billion, while imports from the United States surged by 86.4 percent to US$307 million.