US Lifts Arms Embargo on Cambodia as Trump Seeks to Re-Align Phnom Penh
Washington ends defence trade restrictions as part of a broader bid to deepen strategic ties with Cambodia
The United States formally lifted its arms embargo on Cambodia on November 7, 2025, marking a strategic shift by President Donald Trump to draw Phnom Penh closer to Washington at a time of heightened regional competition.
The decision reverses a 2021 prohibition and allows defence exports to Cambodia to proceed subject to case-by-case approval.
A notice published in the Federal Register stated that the move was based on Cambodia’s renewed commitment to peace, security and cooperation with the United States, particularly in areas such as defence coordination and combating transnational crime.
The policy change followed Trump’s recent diplomatic engagement at the Asean summit in Kuala Lumpur, where he met Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.
During the summit, Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim hosted Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to sign a peace accord aimed at ending Thai-Cambodian border tensions.
Analysts note that Washington’s decision reflects a broader effort to counterbalance China’s defence influence in Southeast Asia, even as they acknowledge that shifting Cambodia’s long-standing security alignment will be challenging.
China has invested heavily in Cambodian military facilities, most notably the expansion of the Ream Naval Base, which contributed to Washington imposing the embargo four years ago.
Officials in Phnom Penh have indicated an interest in diversifying defence partnerships, and the lifting of the embargo opens the possibility for expanded training, joint exercises and procurement options.
Whether that translates into a substantial realignment will depend on how Cambodia balances its deep military ties with China against new incentives offered by Washington.
The decision reverses a 2021 prohibition and allows defence exports to Cambodia to proceed subject to case-by-case approval.
A notice published in the Federal Register stated that the move was based on Cambodia’s renewed commitment to peace, security and cooperation with the United States, particularly in areas such as defence coordination and combating transnational crime.
The policy change followed Trump’s recent diplomatic engagement at the Asean summit in Kuala Lumpur, where he met Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.
During the summit, Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim hosted Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to sign a peace accord aimed at ending Thai-Cambodian border tensions.
Analysts note that Washington’s decision reflects a broader effort to counterbalance China’s defence influence in Southeast Asia, even as they acknowledge that shifting Cambodia’s long-standing security alignment will be challenging.
China has invested heavily in Cambodian military facilities, most notably the expansion of the Ream Naval Base, which contributed to Washington imposing the embargo four years ago.
Officials in Phnom Penh have indicated an interest in diversifying defence partnerships, and the lifting of the embargo opens the possibility for expanded training, joint exercises and procurement options.
Whether that translates into a substantial realignment will depend on how Cambodia balances its deep military ties with China against new incentives offered by Washington.
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