US lawmakers praise Cambodia’s economic resilience in talks with Hun Manet

Preah Sihanouk Provincial Television, August 29 — Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet met a US congressional delegation at the Peace Palace on the afternoon of August 28. Representatives Beth Van Duyne of Texas, Richard McCormick of Georgia and Suhas Subramanyam of Virginia led the delegation. They discussed trade, investment, regional peace and bilateral relations. Van Duyne praised Cambodia’s growth and macroeconomic stability over more than a decade, including efforts to attract foreign investment and maintain low inflation. She said she hoped to expand trade and investment cooperation and reaffirmed her support for closer relations. Hun Manet said peace and stability made Cambodia’s economic progress possible. He welcomed the delegation and thanked US President Donald Trump for his role in the Cambodia–Thailand ceasefire, which Hun Manet said saved many lives. He said Cambodia had formally nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. Hun Manet also thanked the US for setting the reciprocal tariff on qualifying Cambodian goods at 19 percent, which he said would encourage trade. US customs guidance applied the new rates to eligible entries from 12:01 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on August 7, 2025. He outlined reforms to investment registration, government dialogue with businesses and investment incentives. They also discussed security and defence, combating transnational crime and the return of Cambodian workers from the United States. Hun Manet briefed the delegation on the border situation and ceasefire implementation. The delegation backed the ceasefire and expressed support for continued efforts toward regional peace and stability. The station described the meeting as a step towards closer Cambodia–US relations. Compiled by Preah Sihanouk Provincial Television.