Trump Plays Offense in China’s Backyard

Trump Plays Offense in China’s Backyard

His Cambodia charm offensive is the new normal in U.S. foreign policy.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, and U.S. President Donald Trump at the ASEAN summit October 31, 2025, 7:13 AM Comment icon View Comments ( )

Trump’s Second Term

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For decades, the United States’ relationship with Cambodia has been among the most fraught across Southeast Asia, a region where the U.S.-China great power rivalry is fast intensifying. In the past, Washington and Phnom Penh have vigorously sparred over issues like democracy and human rights as well as concerns about Cambodia’s strengthening Chinese ties. Under U.S. President Donald Trump’s second administration, however, this is shift