Trump’s newly announced “reciprocal tariffs” appear to be based on a formula that relies on the trade imbalance between the US and its partners, rather than any real-world tariffs or duties imposed by other nations. The method divides the US goods trade deficit with a country by total imports from that country, with his administration claiming to factor in “non-tariff barriers and currency practices”. Critics argue this approach is flawed because it focuses on trade deficits rather than actual tariff differences, which distorts the real trade picture. The Office of the US Trade Representative, the president’s official trade administration, admitted…
Author: Niem Chheng
The Cambodian Oknha Association (COA) will pursue legal action against any Oknha who are found to have engaged in activities that damage the honour of the title, which can only be bestowed by His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni. The warning came just a day after the Ministry of National Defence announced that it will discipline Oknha Chheav Monen, who serves as a Brigadier General in the Royal Cambodian Air Force, for posting a series of “inappropriate” videos to TikTok. In an April 2 press release, the association called on all titleholders to strictly uphold honour, morality, civility and dignity in…
The Ministry of National Defence will establish a disciplinary council to review and evaluate the actions of Chheav Monen, for what the ministry described as behaviour unbecoming an officer. Monen, who holds the rank of one-star Brigadier General and the honorific title of Oknha, currently serves as deputy director of a technical department of the Royal Cambodian Air Force. According to an April 1 press release by the defence ministry, he posted a recent video of “inappropriate behaviour” – including dancing to rap music – which was filmed in his office. “This individual has displayed images and behaviour which are…
Luxembourg has provided a two million Euro ($2.16 million) grant for mine action in Cambodia, under the Clearing for Results Project, managed by the Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) and UNDP. The grant agreement was signed today, April 1 by Prince Guillaume Jean Joseph Marie, Crown Prince of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and Alissar Chaker, resident representative of UNDP Cambodia. Chaker explained that the Clearing for Results project has been in action in the kingdom since 2006 and has cleared 384 square kilometres of mine-contaminated land to date, benefitting over one million people. “The current phase (2020-2025)…
Takeo provincial police officers detained two armed drug dealers and a number of their associates on March 29, recovering two handguns and other weapons, along with a quantity of narcotics. The provincial police reported on April 1 that they attempted to stop two well-known drug dealers, identified as Hai Meng Hang and Mey Mon, for a routine stop in Bati district. Two men fled, with the officers in hot pursuit. After a short chase, the authorities apprehended Meng Hang. After searching him, they discovered a Glock handgun and several packages of a white crystalline powder, suspected to be an illegal…
The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport has encouraged public and private educational institutions across the Kingdom to encourage children and students to play traditional Cambodian folk games and take part in dances during Sankranta celebrations at schools and the upcoming Khmer New Year festivities. Analysts believe that leadership and guidance will be required to ensure the students’ participation. In a March 31 directive, education minister Hang Chuon Naron called for all educational institutions to join in the preservation and promotion of Khmer culture, beliefs, customs and national traditions to ensure their longevity and prosperity, while also avoiding negative outside…
The Anti-Drug Department seized almost 125 kilogrammes of narcotics in two separate operations in Phnom Penh and Svay Rieng’s Bavet town late last week. A total of eight suspects were arrested, including Chinese, Burmese and Cambodian nationals. A March 31 report from the department detailed how on March 26, a specialised team of officers – led by Major General In Song, the department’s deputy director – worked with the Phnom Penh and Preah Sihanouk police to conduct a series of raids aimed at suppressing a drug trafficking network. They arrested five suspects— two Burmese and three Chinese nationals – and…
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office (DA) has released details of the history of two looted artefacts that were returned to Cambodia on March 26, following their seizure by the DA’s office in New York City. The two sculptures include a male deity torso made of sandstone and the head of a deity or member of the royalty. In a March 27 press release, the Manhattan DA’s office described the male deity torso, which originally had four arms — though all four are now broken off at the upper arms — and is adorned with a skirt in the Baphuon style…
Enforcement action against human trafficking and sexual exploitation in Cambodia increased in 2024, with authorities cracking down on a total of 197 cases, up by 33 from the previous year. The number of foreign offenders deported from Cambodia surged by more than double. Chou Bun Eng, permanent vice-chair of the National Committee for Countering Human Trafficking, presented the 2024 annual report on March 27. The report revealed that authorities investigated 197 cases of human trafficking, arresting 273 suspects and sending them to court. This marked an increase of 33 cases from the 164 recorded in 2023 and a rise of…
Cambodian Minister of Interior Sar Sokha and Laos’ Minister of Public Security Vilay Lakham Phong have formally agreed to extend their close cooperation in the suppression of high tech crimes and the fight against illegal drugs in 2025. The discussions took place during Sokha’s March 24-26 official visit to the neighbouring country. Ren Ratanak, spokesman for the minister, told reporters on March 26 that during the bilateral meeting, the two ministers also discussed ongoing investigations into suspects involved in various crimes, such as human trafficking, and the more general situation along the border. The two sides evaluated the cooperation between…