Him Rotha, Deputy Director of the Cambodian Centre for Regional Studies, said Cambodia-US relations are currently on a “journey to reset”. “Trust and confidence have been gradually rebuilt,” he added.
Rotha noted that this has been occurring since the start of Hun Manet’s tenure as Prime Minister, and has become more intensified after US President Donald Trump’s phone calls in July 2025, adding that the gradual improvement of ties with the US is much needed in Cambodia.
“This is to contribute to Cambodia’s national development and security in order to have more fruitful cooperation with one another in the international arena,” he said, adding that the US’s collaboration with Cambodia is more visible in the field of military cooperation focused on “mutual strategic considerations”.
“From the Cambodian side, the engagement with the US signifies its own intent to diversify with other defence partners besides China, especially with the looming misperception of the Ream Naval Base and the close relations with China,” he said.
Meanwhile, he noted that the US’s engagement with Cambodia is part of its global engagement and regional strategy in the Indo-Pacific, as the US’s agenda these days have emphasized on the politico-military rationales departing from the humanitarian, value, and development-oriented in the Post-Cold War Liberal World Order.
On August 7, the US Embassy in Phnom Penh said that the US and Cambodia continue to expand practical defence cooperation that strengthens security for both nations, while stating that the US is discussing ways to support stronger military ties with Cambodia.
“Together, the US and Cambodia are building stronger professional ties that support regional security, increase cooperation between our armed forces, and contribute to a more secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” it said.