Bilateral relations between the United States and Cambodia, while strained throughout the Cold War, have strengthened considerably in modern times. The U.S. supports efforts in Cambodia to combat terrorism, build democratic institutions, promote human rights, foster economic development, and eliminate corruption.[1][2]
According to a 2011 Gallup poll, 68% of Cambodians approved of the job performance of the United States under the Obama administration, with 7% disapproving, the most favorable opinion for any surveyed Asia–Pacific nation.[3] In a 2012 Gallup Poll, 62% of Cambodians approved of U.S. leadership, with 8% disapproving.[4] President Barack Obama's visit to Phnom Penh in 2012 made history as the first U.S. presidential visit to Cambodia.
History
Between 1955 and 1963, the United States provided $409.6 million in economic grant aid and $83.7 million in military assistance. [citation needed] This aid was used primarily to repair damage caused by the Indochina War, to support internal security forces, and for the construction of an all-weather road to the seaport of Sihanoukville, which gave Cambodia its first direct access to the sea and access to the southwestern hinterlands. Relations deteriorated in the early 1960s. Diplomatic relations were broken by Cambodia in May 1965, but were reestablished on July 2, 1969. U.S. relations continued after the establishment of the Khmer Republic until the U.S. mission was evacuated during the fall of Phnom Penh on April 12, 1975.
Concurrent with these efforts, the United States supported ASEAN's efforts in the 1980s to achieve a political settlement of the Cambodian Civil War that would include the Khmer Rouge in the government. This was accomplished on October 23, 1991, when the Paris Conference reconvened to sign a comprehensive settlement.
The U.S. Mission in Phnom Penh opened on May 13, 1994, headed by career diplomat Charles H. Twining, Jr., who was designated U.S. Special Representative to the SNC.[10] On January 3, 1992, the U.S. lifted its embargo against Cambodia, thus normalizing economic relations with the country. The United States also ended blanket opposition to lending to Cambodia by international financial institutions. When the freely elected Royal Government of Cambodia was formed on September 24, 1993, the United States and the Kingdom of Cambodia immediately established full diplomatic relations. The U.S. Mission was upgraded to a U.S. embassy, and in May 1994 Mr. Twining became the U.S. ambassador. After the factional fighting in 1997 and Hun Sen's legal machinations to depose First Prime Minister Norodom Ranariddh, the United States suspended bilateral assistance to the Cambodian Government. At the same time, many U.S. citizens and other expatriates were evacuated from Cambodia and, in the subsequent weeks and months, more than 40,000 Cambodian refugees fled to Thailand. The 1997 events also left a long list of uninvestigated human rights abuses, including dozens of extrajudicial killings. Since 1997 until recently, U.S. assistance to the Cambodian people has been provided mainly through non-governmental organizations, which flourish in Cambodia.
Of further concern to the United States, Cambodia has greatly reduced its military partnership with the U.S. and strengthened its military ties with China. In 2017, Cambodia suspended all combined military operations with the United States and began training with the People's Liberation Army (PLA).[13] In 2019, the Wall Street Journal published a report detailing a secret deal between Beijing and Phnom Penh to allow the stationing of PLA troops at Ream Naval Base.[14] In 2020, Cambodia demolished a Cambodian Navy tactical headquarters funded and built by the United States and after broke ground on the new Beijing-funded Ream Naval Base. At the groundbreaking ceremony, Wang Wentian, China's ambassador to Cambodia, announced that the project would deepen the "iron-clad partnership" between the two nation's militaries.[13][15] Souring military and political relations with the Washington and improving relations with Beijing have caused many to speculate that Cambodia views China as a closer ally.[13][16]
Following the 2023 general election, the U.S. took steps to impose visa restrictions on individuals it deemed had "undermined democracy" and also implemented a pause of certain foreign assistance programs.[17] The U.S. State Department also named jailed union leader Chhim Sithar as one of its Human Rights Defender Award recipients for 2023. She is the first Cambodian to receive this award.[18]
The U.S. embassy is located in Phnom Penh, near Wat Phnom. It is one of the biggest embassies in Phnom Penh. It is located on the site of the former Cercle Sportif (also known as the Club Sportif Khmer) and following the capture of Phnom Penh by the Khmer Rouge on 17 April 1975 was the scene of the execution of various high-ranking leaders of the Khmer Republic including Lon Non, Long Boret and Sisowath Sirik Matak.[19][20]