Seventy-five years after Cambodia and the United States established diplomatic relations, developments along our border with Thailand are a reminder that peace is never guaranteed. It must be actively maintained through diplomacy with regional partners and major powers, alongside a shared commitment to open trade. The United States is exceptionally well-positioned to support Cambodia’s security and growth, and to benefit greatly from both.

Once scarred by war and genocide, Cambodia’s progress has been built on peace, the resilience of its people and foreign direct investment that has fueled a growing private sector. Cambodia has sustained strong growth for over three decades and is now one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing economies, averaging 7 percent annual GDP growth in the two decades before the pandemic and serving as a strategic hub in ASEAN’s market of 650 million consumers. Increasingly, this expansion is linked to deeper economic and security cooperation with the United States.

By the end of November, the Council for the Development of Cambodia had approved 609 investment projects worth $9.5 billion, a 56 percent year-on-year increase, creating over 400,000 jobs. Rising investor confidence reflects Cambodia’s political stability and predictable business environment. Exports to the United States exceeded $9 billion between January and September, up 22.6 percent year-on-year, with garments,........

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