Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the head of Myanmar’s military, has reacted positively to a letter from former U.S. President Donald Trump announcing new tariffs on the Southeast Asian nation’s exports to the United States. Myanmar military chief Min Aung Hlaing said this was done with “sincere appreciation”. It set a 40 percent tariff rate that will start from August 1. This is an expected, but nevertheless welcome, turn of events for the military regime. Following its coup in 2021, it has suffered though steep global ostracism.
The letter from Trump has been interpreted by Min Aung Hlaing as an “encouraging invitation to continue participating in the extraordinary Economy of the United States.” He seems prepared to send a high-level adversary negotiation team to Washington. They’ll talk about the possible impact of the tariffs and discuss ways to collaborate moving forward.
Since Min Aung Hlaing’s administration overthrew the democratically elected government in February 2021, it has faced a legitimacy crisis. The military’s actions have enraged the most supporters at home and abroad. This response grew stronger after Myanmar’s military perpetrated an alleged genocide against the country’s Rohingya minority in 2017. That’s why the regime has come under growing international pressure to answer for its human rights abuses, including brutal crackdowns on free press and civil liberties.
Min Aung Hlaing even thanked Trump for his effort to regulate U.S. broadcasting agencies and appropriations. He claimed that these punitive measures have even escalated armed conflicts within Myanmar at times. He noted the lack of funding to U.S. outlets, like Radio Free Asia and the Voice of America. These organizations have become essential lifelines for the country’s independent, courageous, and truth-telling journalism.
He indicated that the current economic sanctions imposed by Washington are detrimental, stating, “as they hinder the shared interests and prosperity of both countries and their peoples.” This remark aims to appeal to Trump’s grievances regarding economic policies while attempting to foster dialogue about lifting sanctions that have hampered Myanmar’s economy.
Specifically, Min Aung Hlaing underlined the obstacles that Trump had to overcome during the 2020 US presidential election. He likened those challenges to the challenges that his own new administration is now facing. He claimed, “Similar to the challenges the President encountered during the 2020 election of the United States, Myanmar also experienced major electoral fraud and significant irregularities.” This one, I think, is an effort to fit his storyline to Trump’s wildly unpopular take on electoral integrity.
Even as he is decried on the global stage, Min Aung Hlaing still goes on to claim his leadership bona fides. He has been portrayed in state media as exercising “strong leadership in guiding his country towards national prosperity with the spirit of a true patriot, as well as continued efforts to promote peace on the global stage.” These narratives serve as an effort to bolster his regime’s image amid widespread criticism.
As Myanmar navigates this complex landscape of international relations and domestic unrest, the implications of Trump’s tariff announcement and Min Aung Hlaing’s subsequent response will be closely monitored. Despite the killing, the military leader still sees value in cooperating with U.S. This desire is accompanied by a powerful determination to keep that power within the borders of the United States.
