PHNOM PENH, June 6 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's trade with the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) member countries hit 12.92 billion U.S. dollars in the first four months of 2025, up 15.4 percent from 11.19 billion dollars over the same period last year, said an official report on Friday.

The kingdom's export to RCEP member countries was valued at 3.61 billion dollars during the January-April period this year, up over 7 percent from 3.36 billion dollars over the same period last year, said the General Department of Customs and Excise's report.

Meanwhile, the country's import from the RCEP member countries totaled 9.31 billion dollars, up 18.9 percent from 7.83 billion dollars, the report added.

Cambodia's top five trading partners under the RCEP are China, Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, and Indonesia.

Entered into force in 2022, the RCEP comprises 15 Asia-Pacific countries including 10 ASEAN member states -- Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam -- and their five trading partners, namely China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

Cambodian Ministry of Commerce's Secretary of State and Spokesperson Penn Sovicheat said RCEP has played a crucial role in boosting global trade amidst the United States' tariff hikes.

"The RCEP is a catalyst for long-term export growth and a magnet to attract more foreign direct investment to Cambodia," he told Xinhua.

"With preferential tariffs provided under the RCEP agreement, Cambodia's exports to other RCEP members will continue to rise this year and beyond, undoubtedly," he added.

Kin Phea, director general of the International Relations Institute of Cambodia, a think tank under the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said the world's largest trade pact has been playing a greater role in boosting global trade amidst U.S. trade protectionism.

"Against this backdrop, RCEP has become a stabilizing force, fostering economic integration across the Asia-Pacific," he told Xinhua.

"While the U.S. has increased import tariffs even on its allies, RCEP eliminates 90 percent of intra-regional duties while standardizing customs and e-commerce rules," Phea added. ■