As part of the strategic rivalry with China,the United States is now counting on Cambodia to expand its influence in Southeast Asia. However, this comes as Russia and China also pivot towards Myanmar as a counterbalance to the US’s growing influence in the region.

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The decision by the US Department of Commerce to remove Cambodia from the “D:5 Group of Nations” arms export blacklist reflects Washington’s efforts to shift its influence and lessen Cambodia’s reliance on Beijing at a time when the Southeast Asian country is actively seeking new allies.

According to the US Secretary of State, the decision was “based on Cambodia’s diligent pursuit of peace and security, including through renewed engagement with the United States on defense cooperation and combating transnational crime.” This measure aligns with the White House’s earlier decision in October 2025 to lift the arms embargo on Cambodia.

Casey Barnett,president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia, called the move a “strong symbol of US confidence” in Cambodia and said this change “opens the door for Cambodia to acquire advanced U.S. technologies that can support both its security and economic development.”

Military relations between Washington and Phnom Penh are improving. According to Washington, removing the legal ban on arms sales to Cambodia is part of an effort to ensure regional security. Cambodia will now have access to advanced American technology. However, restrictions on the sale of weapons and military technology to Cambodia will not be fully lifted but will be significantly eased.

The US is eager to see how closely Phnom Penh follows foreign policy directives. Another important point is that Washington is also ready to train Cambodian officers at US military academies, including West Point and the Air Force Academy. In December 2024, a US warship docked in Sihanoukville, and in January 2026, another US warship docked at Ream Base. Both sides view the visits as part of efforts to strengthen cooperation between the two militaries. The US and Cambodia are also planning to reschedule the “Angkor Sentinel” exercise.

In 2019, the US monitored China’s military presence in Cambodia and Beijing’s support for the Cambodian government. By 2023, Cambodia signaled a move toward closer ties with the West by inviting Ukrainian military engineers to train under a program funded by Japan. Therefore, it is not surprising that the US views Cambodia as a potential ally.

The US is currently betting on Cambodia to exert influence in Southeast Asia. The primary goal is to compete strategically with China. This move is part of Washington’s efforts to reposition its influence and reduce Cambodia’s dependence on Beijing. Meanwhile, Cambodia is looking for new allies.

Source: Global Research