U.S. Lawmakers Back Expanded Cooperation with Cambodia Across Key Sectors
U.S. Lawmakers Back Expanded Cooperation with Cambodia Across Key Sectors
PHNOM PENH, 27 August 2026 — A delegation of U.S. lawmakers has pledged to continue supporting efforts by the United States government to further strengthen and broaden cooperation between Cambodia and the United States, following a meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet at the Peace Palace on Thursday.
The delegation, comprising Jimmy Panetta, Democratic representative from California; Jim Baird, Republican representative from Indiana; Julie Johnson, Democratic representative from Texas; and Kristen McDonald Rivet, Democratic representative from Michigan, paid a courtesy call and held discussions with Hun Manet on 27 August.
During the meeting, the U.S. lawmakers expressed appreciation for Cambodia’s rapid development across various sectors and welcomed positive progress in bilateral relations and cooperation.
According to the Cambodian government’s account of the meeting, areas of cooperation discussed included trade and investment, security, mine action and unexploded ordnance clearance, and healthcare.
The delegation said its visit provided an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the practical potential of Cambodia–U.S. relations and to strengthen bilateral ties. The lawmakers pledged to continue working to support the U.S. government’s efforts to expand cooperation with Cambodia across a broader range of areas.
The U.S. delegation also reaffirmed that the United States will continue supporting mine and unexploded ordnance clearance efforts in Cambodia.
In response, Hun Manet welcomed the positive development of Cambodia–U.S. relations and reaffirmed the Cambodian government’s commitment to further strengthening and expanding bilateral friendship and cooperation.
The Cambodian prime minister highlighted opportunities for greater economic cooperation, pointing to the growth of trade and foreign investment in Cambodia and the country’s efforts to strengthen economic resilience and develop key sectors, including textiles, agriculture and value-added processing, with the aim of increasing exports to international markets.
Hun Manet and the U.S. lawmakers also exchanged views on expanding cooperation in healthcare, security and defence.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Hun Manet expressed his appreciation for continued U.S. support for Cambodia’s mine-clearance efforts. He also thanked U.S. President Donald J. Trump and the U.S. government for their role in facilitating the ceasefire and the Kuala Lumpur Joint Statement of 26 October 2025.
The Cambodian prime minister additionally briefed the U.S. congressional delegation on the latest developments along the Cambodia–Thailand border, reiterating Cambodia’s commitment to resolving the border issue through peaceful means, international law, and existing conventions, treaties and agreements between the two countries.
