A letter from former United States President Donald Trump announcing new tariffs has been welcomed by Myanmar’s military leadership, marking a rare moment of perceived recognition for the junta. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who has led the military since it seized power in 2021, stated that he received the letter with “sincere appreciation.” The letter indicates a new tariff rate of 40 percent on Myanmar’s exports to the US, effective from August 1, 2023.
This communication comes at a time when the junta faces significant international isolation, particularly from the United States and Western nations, which do not recognize them as the legitimate government of Myanmar, also known as Burma. The military’s coup initiated a devastating civil conflict, with pro-democracy forces and ethnic rebel groups mounting resistance against the junta.
The report from state media Global New Light of Myanmar quoted Min Aung Hlaing expressing his view that the letter serves as an “encouraging invitation to continue participating in the extraordinary Economy of the United States.” He suggested that a high-level negotiation team could be dispatched to the US to engage with American authorities if necessary.
The military regime has been subjected to sanctions from the US, United Kingdom, and European Union, which have sought to limit diplomatic interaction with the junta. Most Western countries have withdrawn fully accredited ambassadors from Myanmar, a move the military has criticized. In his comments, Min Aung Hlaing requested that Washington consider lifting some economic sanctions, arguing that they hinder mutual interests and prosperity for both nations and their citizens.
Min Aung Hlaing praised Trump’s leadership and his efforts in promoting peace globally. He expressed gratitude for Trump’s administration’s actions that he claimed had “regulated broadcasting agencies and funds,” referring to funding cuts to outlets like Radio Free Asia and Voice of America. These organizations have played a crucial role in providing independent news coverage in Myanmar, particularly during the junta’s suppression of press freedoms.
He also drew a parallel between the challenges faced by Trump during the 2020 US election and the alleged electoral fraud in Myanmar. The general referenced the elections won by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy party, which the military later claimed were marred by fraud. International observers, however, generally concluded that the elections were largely free and fair.
Since the coup, Aung San Suu Kyi has been detained and is currently serving a 27-year sentence following a controversial trial that many observers have condemned as politically motivated. The military’s claims of widespread electoral fraud have been widely discredited, yet they served as a justification for the coup that ended a decade of democratic governance in Myanmar.
The recent communication from Trump has raised questions about the potential for shifts in US foreign policy towards Myanmar, a topic CNN is actively investigating. The US embassy in Myanmar has been approached for further clarification on the implications of the letter and its delivery.
As the situation in Myanmar continues to evolve, the junta’s response to the tariff letter reflects a strategic attempt to leverage international relations to its advantage, despite ongoing accusations of human rights violations and war crimes against its military forces.
