Warmer US ties will not draw Cambodia away from China

Significance He met top officials including Prime Minister Hun Manet; Senate President Hun Sen, Hun Manet’s father and predecessor and still the leader of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP); and Defence Minister Tea Seiha. Cambodia has in recent years appeared rather more aligned with China than with the United States. Impacts Phnom Penh’s role for three years from July as coordinator for ASEAN-US relations could help stabilise the Cambodian-US partnership. Cambodian exports to the United States may suffer if the US elections in November lead to a more protectionist administration in Washington. Hun Manet will not diverge from the broad contours of his father’s policies.