Cambodia and the United States held discussions today under the Trade and Investment Agreement (TIFA) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The TIFA meeting represents the two countries’ shared commitment to further building to their economic relationship. The meeting was co-chaired by Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, Ms. Barbara Weisel and Cambodian Secretary of State, Ministry of Commerce, H.E. PAN, Sorasak.

During the 3rd Joint Council TIFA meeting, the two countries discussed bilateral, regional and multilateral trade issues such as implementation of Cambodia’s World Trade Organization (WTO) obligations, intellectual property rights, labor, investment, trade capacity building, and information communications and technology, as well as the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Cambodia and the U.S. will continue joint work under the TIFA and are developing a follow-up work plan, including how best to support momentum for continued trade-related reforms in Cambodia.

Background

The 2006 bilateral TIFA is the main forum for trade and investment discussions between the United States and Cambodia. Officials meet regularly both in formal TIFA meetings as well informally to discuss ways to build bilateral economic relationship and coordinate on ASEAN and WTO issues. In 2014, two-way trade between Cambodia and the United States totaled $3.2 billion.