Resist protectionism, Xi tells Cambodia as Phnom Penh seeks loans

This pool photo taken and released on April 17, 2025 by Agence Kampuchea Presse (AKP) shows China's President Xi Jinping (L) and Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet (R) attending a signing ceremony at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh. - POOL/ AFP

PHNOM PENH: Chinese leader Xi Jinping urged Cambodia to "resist protectionism" as he arrived in Phnom Penh on Thursday (April 17) at the end of a three-nation tour of South-East Asia, with US tariffs threatening the economies of both countries.

Cambodia is a major exporter of clothing and footwear to the United States, and was slapped with a US import tax of 49 per cent, one of the highest globally, before "reciprocal" duties were paused until July for most countries, except those on China which faces combined tariffs of 145 per cent.