US President Trump has sent a letter to terrorist military council leader Min Aung Hlaing announcing that a 40% tax will be imposed on exports from Myanmar to the United States. The notification was sent on July 7th to leaders of Southeast Asian nations including Min Aung Hlaing. The letter stated that starting from August 1st, all exports from Myanmar to the US will be subject to a 40% tax rate.
The letter warned that if Myanmar attempts to evade taxes by routing exports through other countries, additional tax increases will be imposed. However, if Myanmar companies invest and manufacture goods within the United States, no taxes will be charged according to the US President. Additionally, exports from other countries will also face increased taxes – 40% for Laos, 36% for Cambodia, 35% for Bangladesh, 32% for Indonesia, 25% for Malaysia, and 36% for Thailand.
Terrorist military council leader Min Aung Hlaing commented on the US tax increases during an interview with RT News in Moscow, Russia on May 8th. He stated that trade volume between Myanmar and the US is not significant, amounting to only about $900 million from 2011 to 2025, with annual trade averaging around $800 million. He noted that in some years Myanmar’s exports were higher while in other years US exports were higher. He claimed that as Myanmar is a developing country, increasing taxes is inappropriate, and suggested that the US is imposing higher taxes on multiple countries due to its trade deficit.
