On April 22, 2020, the European Commission announced that the EU temporarily revoked the GSP / EBA preferential treatment (EU) 2020 / 550 for some clothes, shoes, travel goods and sugarcane in Cambodia, and it will come into effect on August 12, 2020.
On 12 August 2020, the European Commission issued a press release stating that:
1、 The European Commission and the European Department of Foreign Affairs (EEAs) will continue to strengthen interaction with Cambodia. The EU will continue to monitor the situation in the country, paying special attention to the current restrictions on freedom of speech, civil and political rights, as well as the progress of land disputes and labor rights under the current relevant reforms. Aware of the impact of the new outbreak on Cambodia's economy and employment, the European Union is ready to support the country's efforts to fight the new epidemic and move towards economic recovery. However, this cannot exempt Cambodia from the urgent need to respect human rights and labor rights.
2、 Since the EU decided to implement the targeted measures in February 2020, the Cambodian government can take necessary measures at any time to comply with the full restoration of EBA treatment granted to the country by the EU, and the same is now the case. If the Cambodian government makes significant progress, especially in terms of civil and political rights, the European Commission may review its decision and re implement the EBA preferential tariff granted to Cambodia in accordance with the relevant provisions of the EU GSP.
