As the US and China hold consultations on economic and trade issues, on the 16th in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol, stating opposition to certain countries using tariffs to reap benefits from the world. Sun Chanthol said that the tariff war brings significant challenges, "but will not sacrifice its own and China’s interests."
According to a late-night release from the website of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 16th, during Wang Yi’s meeting with Sun Chanthol, he stated that China and Cambodia firmly support each other on issues involving their respective core interests. China supports Cambodia in safeguarding its national sovereignty, security, and development interests. Both countries oppose certain states engaging in unilateral bullying and oppose turning back the clock and exploiting tariffs to reap benefits from the world.
Sun Chanthol said that the tariff war poses huge challenges to both Cambodia and the world. Cambodia is willing to resolve differences through negotiation, but will not sacrifice its own or China’s interests.
He also stated that Cambodia wishes to continue working with China to utilize the role of the Intergovernmental Coordination Committee to advance projects such as the Funan Techo Integrated Water Resources Project, and to enhance cooperation in fields such as trade and investment.
According to the announcement by US President Trump at the end of July, tariffs on dozens of countries were adopted, including a 19% tariff on goods imported from Cambodia. The US also plans to impose a 40% tariff on transshipped goods based on strict “rules of origin,” widely believed to affect Chinese goods re-exported via Southeast Asian countries to avoid high US tariffs the most.
China and Cambodia also exchanged views on the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict. Wang Yi stated that from the very beginning, China has actively encouraged peace and talks, hoping both sides seize the opportunity to accelerate reconciliation. China’s special envoy is now conducting a third round of mediation and is willing to actively provide assistance based on both sides’ wishes. Sun Chanthol expressed willingness to resolve the dispute with Thailand through dialogue and negotiation as soon as possible.
In July of this year, tensions escalated between Thailand and Cambodia, leading to the deadliest border military conflict in decades, with over 40 people killed and 300,000 forced to flee their homes.