Southeast Asian trade volumes rise in first eight months of 2026

Trade volumes in Southeast Asia have shown significant growth in the first eight months of 2026. Cambodia and China reported a 20.2% increase in bilateral trade, reaching over $15.53 billion. Cambodian exports to China rose by 23.4% to $1.3 billion, primarily driven by agricultural products, furniture, jewelry, and textiles. Imports from China reached $14.2 billion, a 20.7% increase, covering raw materials, consumer goods, machinery, and electronics.

Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol noted that China remains an indispensable strategic partner, with cooperation expanding into energy, tourism, and infrastructure. The Cambodia-China Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) are cited as key drivers for this expansion.

In Vietnam, total import-export turnover for the first eight months reached $770.14 billion, a 28.7% increase compared to the same period last year. This represents the highest eight-month trade volume on record. Despite concerns regarding US tariffs, Vietnam's manufacturing sector remains robust, with the manufacturing PMI reaching 53.3 points in August, marking its 14th consecutive month above the 50-point threshold.