Military council leader Min Aung Hlaing has sent a letter to former US President Donald Trump in response to the announcement of a 40% tariff increase on Myanmar imports. The letter, sent on July 9th following Trump’s July 7th tariff announcement, primarily focuses on requesting the removal of economic sanctions against Myanmar while drawing parallels between Trump’s experience in the 2020 US election and Myanmar’s claimed electoral irregularities.
In the letter, Min Aung Hlaing expresses gratitude for Trump’s leadership in global peace efforts and America’s economic success. He proposes a bilateral trade arrangement where tariffs on Myanmar exports to the US would be set between 10-20%, while tariffs on US imports to Myanmar would range from 0-10%. The letter also offers to send a high-level delegation for negotiations if necessary. Min Aung Hlaing claims that Myanmar has maintained historically good relations with the United States and has always upheld its trade commitments.
Regarding Myanmar’s political situation, Min Aung Hlaing draws parallels between Trump’s experience in the 2020 US election and what he describes as significant electoral fraud in Myanmar’s election. He argues that the military’s assumption of state responsibilities was constitutional and necessary due to the ruling party’s refusal to address electoral irregularities. The letter also claims that international misperceptions about Myanmar’s political situation stem from biased media coverage, and that economic sanctions against Myanmar serve neither country’s interests. Min Aung Hlaing emphasizes that Myanmar has never interfered with any other nation’s affairs and believes that removing trade barriers and maintaining balanced tariffs would enhance Myanmar-US trade relations.
