Workers operate heavy machinery inside a factory in Cambodia. Supplied
The bilateral trade volume between Cambodia and China in the first quarter of 2025 totaled more than $4 billion, an increase of about 26% compared to Q1 of 2024. Of the volume, Chinese imports amounted to more than $3.7 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of more than 91%.
According to the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE), the total value of trade between Cambodia and China in Q1 2025 reached $4,068.6 million — a 26.7% increase compared to the same period in 2024, when $3,210.23 million was recorded. This accounted for nearly 30% of Cambodia’s total international trade in Q1 2025, which was $14,449.16 million.
Cambodian exports to China were valued at $348.19 million, a 4.9% decrease, while imports from China reached $3,720.41 million, an increase of 30.8%.
Based on this data, Cambodia’s trade deficit with China amounted to 91.44%, equivalent to $3,372.22 million, compared to $2,444.85 million in 2024.
This trade imbalance was also a topic addressed by US President Donald Trump on April 3 (U.S. time), when he announced a 49% tariff on Cambodian imports to the US, citing a 97% trade deficit.
Hong Vanak, an economist at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, told The Post last week that, as two Asian countries with strong diplomatic and political ties, and a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in place, trade between Cambodia and China has consistently increased — especially with large volumes of goods flowing from China to Cambodia. He noted that China has the manufacturing base for raw materials and components, such as textiles and cotton, which are in high demand by Cambodian factories and enterprises.
He further stated that the trade flow from China to Cambodia is expected to increase further in the future.
“If we look at the trade balance, Cambodia clearly has a significant deficit. But this is not a cause for concern because most of the imports from China are used in Cambodian factories and enterprises for processing and then re-exported to other international markets,” he explained.
However, he also encouraged the Cambodian government and private sector to work harder to research and identify more potential goods for export to China and other countries.
On April 11, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation announced that Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to Cambodia from April 17–18, 2025.
According to the ministry, the state visit is a significant event that will further strengthen the traditional friendship built by successive leaders of both nations.
The visit is also expected to enhance the importance of the "ironclad friendship" and comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. Additionally, many agreements are expected to be signed during the visit to promote cooperation in various sectors.
Data from the GDCE showed that in 2024, total trade between Cambodia and China reached $15.19 billion — a 23.8% increase compared to 2023. Of this, imports from China were valued at $13.44 billion (up 24.6%), while exports to China totalled $1.75 billion (up 18.4%).
