
US President Trump has approved a 40% import tariff on products from Myanmar, making it the country subject to the second-highest tariff rate globally by the United States. This decision comes despite attempts by Myanmar military leader Min Aung Hlaing to negotiate lower tariffs through diplomatic correspondence. According to the latest revised global tariff schedule announced by President Trump, both Laos and Myanmar will face a 40% import tariff, while Syria faces a slightly higher rate of 41%, placing Myanmar as the recipient of the second-highest tariff rate imposed by the United States globally.
Myanmar has remained under various US economic sanctions since the military coup in 2021. While trade between Myanmar and the United States reached $734 million last year, economic experts predict that the combination of the ongoing military rule and increased US tariffs could lead to further economic deterioration and collapse. The White House has not provided detailed justification for these high tariff rates, though it has been noted that Myanmar, Laos, and Syria are countries with relatively low trade volumes with the United States. This latest economic measure represents a significant escalation in pressure on Myanmar’s military regime.
In July, military leader Min Aung Hlaing sent a letter to President Trump, expressing interest in negotiations to reduce tariffs and offering to send a delegation to the United States for discussions. However, Trump responded on July 31 by finalizing the decision to impose the 40% tariff rate on Myanmar. This increased tariff represents another layer of sanctions against the Myanmar military council and is expected to have significant implications for Myanmar’s economy. The decision reflects the United States’ continued policy of applying economic pressure on Myanmar’s military regime, which has been responsible for widespread human rights violations and the suppression of democratic institutions since the 2021 coup.