The United States is set to lift its arms embargo on Cambodia and revive joint military drills, a move signaling a significant policy shift aimed at strengthening security cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The decision, reported by Cambodian media citing a U.S. White House document, comes in response to what the U.S. describes as Cambodia’s “commitment to maintaining peace and security.” The embargo was previously imposed as part of a broader set of sanctions.
Beyond the lifting of sanctions, both nations have agreed to re-establish the “ANGKOR SENTINEL” joint military exercises. These drills were last conducted in 2017.
The U.S. will also increase opportunities for Cambodian military officers to attend prestigious American institutions, including West Point and the Air Force Academy.
Further cooperation will extend to combating transnational crime, specifically targeting drug trafficking networks and online scam centers. These fraudulent operations are estimated to cause over $10 billion in annual damages to American citizens.
The White House document, which outlined achievements of the Trump administration in promoting regional peace and prosperity at a previous ASEAN meeting, also detailed expanded U.S. collaboration with Thailand.
During discussions between President Trump and Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, leaders agreed to broaden security and supply chain cooperation. This aims to enhance stability in production and trade for both countries.
The U.S. and Thailand will reinforce law enforcement collaboration and information sharing. This will support joint investigations into cyber and financial crimes linked to scam networks.
Additionally, the leaders signed a Memorandum of Understanding focused on critical minerals. This initiative seeks to diversify raw material sources, foster partnerships between American and Thai companies, and strengthen global supply chains.
The White House indicated that this cooperation would help mitigate the impact of unfair trade practices, such as dumping, trade subsidies, and unjust pricing standards, while also establishing mechanisms for more stable commodity prices.