Overview

• President Trump’s letter imposing a 40% tariff on Myanmar exports from August 1 marks Washington’s first public acknowledgement of the junta’s rule.
• In a public response, Min Aung Hlaing praised Trump’s leadership, endorsed baseless 2020 election fraud claims and thanked him for cutting funding to US-backed media.
• The junta has formally requested a tariff reduction to 10–20% and urged the lifting of longstanding economic sanctions imposed after the 2021 coup.
• US diplomats continue to withhold formal engagement and the 40% tariff remains scheduled to take effect unless President Trump revises his notice.
• Facing a protracted civil war and Western isolation, the military regime is increasingly reliant on China and Russia as it seeks backdoor engagement with the US economy.