"UK Will Give Cambodia Trade Preferences Despite Recent EBA Suspension", 18 December 2020

The British Embassy in Phnom Penh confirmed … that it would grant Cambodia trade privileges on exports, months after the European Union partially suspended similar preferences for human rights violations.

British Ambassador Tina Redshaw informed Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn … that Cambodia would be eligible for tariff-free exports under the United Kingdom Generalized Scheme of Preferences, according to an email from the British Embassy.

The announcement comes four months after the European Union officially suspended trade privileges for 20 percent of Cambodian exports, affecting the garment, footwear, travel goods, and sugar sectors…

Ambassador Redshaw said that the UK government would continue to be a “strong supporter of human rights” and had concerns over the rights situation in the country.

“In the meeting, the Ambassador also made clear that the U.K. has concerns about human rights and other freedoms in Cambodia and will continue to monitor the situation,” read an email response from the embassy.

“The Cambodian government agreed with the ambassador’s suggestion to hold a regular dialogue with Cambodia’s authorities on the issues related to human rights and other freedoms.”…

In a statement …, Cambodia’s Foreign Ministry echoed the British Ambassador's remark that …, the UK would implement an independent trade policy – marking the official exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union’s economic system…

Khun Tharo, the program coordinator at labor rights group CENTRAL, said Cambodia would face similar rights conditions under the UK’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP).

“Cambodia should stop ignoring respect for labor and human rights,” he said…