KhmerTimes-Feb 6, 2026
In a landmark move, the US Department of Commerce officially removed Cambodia from its arms sale blacklist on Tuesday, signaling a significant thaw in military relations. The change came after the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) updated the Federal Register to remove Cambodia from “Country Group D:5”, a classification that had previously limited arms exports to the Kingdom. The decision follows an assessment by the US Secretary of State, who noted Cambodia’s active pursuit of regional peace and security, continued defense cooperation with the United States, and efforts to combat cross-border crime. The measure aligns with the White House’s prior action in October, when it lifted the ban on arms sales to Cambodia. “Consistent with this change, Cambodia was effectively removed from Country Group D:5,” the BIS statement said, effectively ending the majority of US arms-related restrictions from February 3. Experts estimate that the update could raise the number of license applications for shipments to Cambodia by roughly 100 per year, streamlining previously complex export procedures. However, for national security reasons, Cambodia remains in “Country Group D:1”, which requires licensing controls for certain military and defense-related technologies under Export Administration Regulations (EAR) Sections 744.21 and 744.22. Read more at: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501840674/us-lifts-weapons-sale-restrictions-on-cambodia-marking-new-chapter-in-bilateral-ties/#google_vignette
