US EditionSoutheast Asian Junta Established in a Coup Takes Tariff Letter From Trump as Welcome Recognition
MYANMAR, JUL 10 – Myanmar's junta leader praised Trump and sought to ease US sanctions after the 2021 coup while endorsing Trump's false 2020 election claims, officials said.
- In 2021, Myanmar’s military, under the leadership of Min Aung Hlaing, took control by overthrowing the government that had been elected through a democratic process and headed by the longtime opposition figure Aung San Suu Kyi’s party.
- The military defended its takeover by claiming widespread voting anomalies and serious problems during the election process, drawing a comparison to the disputed 2020 US presidential election.
- Since the military takeover, Myanmar has been engulfed in a devastating conflict lasting over four years, with pro-democracy groups and ethnic insurgents fighting government forces throughout much of the country.
- On Monday, Min Aung Hlaing received a letter from President Trump announcing a 40% tariff on Myanmar exports starting August 1, which the junta called an “encouraging invitation” to engage economically.
- Although the United States and many other Western nations do not recognize the military junta as Myanmar’s legitimate government and continue to enforce sanctions in response to oppression and human rights violations, the military leader has requested that Washington reconsider removing these economic restrictions.
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The U.S. government also announced tariffs for imports from the bitterly poor civil war country of Burma (Myanmar) and wrote to the unrecognized military regime. That felt honored and wants to send representatives to Washington.
A Trump tariff letter is the best news this Southeast Asian junta has had in a while
For most world leaders, tariff letters from US President Donald Trump mean a big headache. But for one Southeast Asian general, the communique is being spun as welcome recognition of the embattled, isolated and reviled junta he leads.
Myanmar dictator Min Aung Hlaing responded to President Trump's letter, expressing his appreciation and gratitude for the US's first official recognition of the Myanmar government, and seizing the opportunity to request relief from sanctions.
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