Nay Pyi Taw July 10US President Donald Trump sent letters regarding the increased import tariffs to 14 countries namely Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Tunisia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, South Africa, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Serbia, Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos, including Myanmar, on 7 July.Regarding the letter, Chairman of the State Administration Council, Prime Minister of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Min Aung Hlaing sent a response letter to US President Donald Trump on 9 July.The response letter sent by the Senior General mentioned that he has the honour to acknowledge receipt of His Excellency President’s letter dated 7 July 2025. The Senior General acknowledged Mr President’s strong leadership in guiding his country toward national prosperity with the spirit of a true patriot, as well as continued efforts to promote peace on the global stage. The Senior General expressed his sincere appreciation for this encouraging invitation to continue participating in the extraordinary Economy of the United States, the Number One Market in the World.The Senior General continued that he was truly grateful for the reduction of the original tariff rates imposed ton Myanmar’s Commodities from 44 percent to 40 percent. Myanmar has enjoyed a long-standing history of friendly relations and firm trade commitments with the United States. Myanmar has continued to make efforts to strengthen further and deepen the bilateral trade relations between the two countries.The letter mentioned that the Senior General deeply acknowledged His Excellency President’s distinguished efforts to advance his country’s interest in addressing the trade deficits resulting from the imbalance of trade between the United States and Myanmar.The Senior General added that to being with, in furtherance of maintaining a balanced and mutually beneficial trade between Myanmar and the United States, he would like to propose to reduce the current tariff rates to the range from 10 percent to 20 percent for the exports of Myanmar to the United States and reciprocally apply the tariff rates of 0 percent 10 percent on the United States’ exports to Myanmar. If needed, a high-level negotiation team will be dispatched as quickly as possible to the US to discuss with the relevant authorities.The Senior General explained that Myanmar remains one of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to this day. Additionally, over the past five years, Myanmar has faced a series of unprecedented challenges, ranging from the overall impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic to natural disasters, including Cyclone Mocha, and Typhoon Yagi and a powerful 7.7-magnitude Mandalay earthquake. At the same time, the government and the people are navigating significant challenges.The Senior General continued that he would like to take this opportunity to share with Mr President the efforts made by his government and the people of Myanmar in response to the current situation in Myanmar. Similar to the challenges Mr President encountered during the 2020 election of the United States, Myanmar also experienced major electoral fraud and significant irregularities. Despite multiple attempts by some political parties and the Tatmadaw to address these concerns, the then-ruling party and the former Union Election Commission not only dismissed these requests but also failed to resolve the issues. The attempt to unlawfully seize State power based on results arising from electoral fraud reflects a lack of justice. Amid growing confidence in the efforts of the political parties to demonstrate that the electoral outcome was compromised by the electoral malpractices, the Tatmadaw temporarily assumed the State's responsibilities under the Constitution. Subsequently, fabricated narratives circulated by certain news agencies then distorted the situation, shaping and leaving a negative image and perception of Myanmar's ongoing political developments within the international community.The letter stated that following the Tatmadaw’s assumption of the State's responsibilities, a new Union Election Commission was reconstituted. The investigation uncovered 11.3 million cases of voting fraud, accounting for 29.54 percent of the total votes nation-wide. Based on the testimonies from individuals involved in the electoral malpractices, the UEC Chairman and members had been subsequently found guilty, appropriate legal actions were taken. They acknowledged the courts' decisions and complied with resulting punishments. Having completed their sentences, they have now been released. In addition, reconstitution of the UEC and the investigation into electoral fraudulence were also accepted as just and fair by legally registered political parties and the public.The Senior General added that he sincerely appreciated Mr President's efforts aimed at promoting global peace, in regulating broadcasting agencies and funds, which have sometimes exacerbated the existing conflicts. Assessments influenced by one-sided misinformation and distorted narratives ultimately led to the imposition of the economic sanctions on Myanmar. So, he hereby respectfully requested Mr President to reconsider easing and lifting the economic sanctions imposed on Myanmar, as they hindered the shared interests and prosperity of both countries and the peoples.The response letter mentioned that Myanmar has consistently upheld the tradition of peaceful coexistence with other nations and remains committed to maintaining good relations with all countries. Similarly, Myanmar has no dispute with any other countries including the United States.The letter also said that Myanmar and the United States can enhance the existing bilateral trade relations by balancing tariffs and removing barriers, as Mr President proposed. With best regards, he wished Mr President and the people of the United States good health, prosperity and every success in future endeavours.MWD Web Portal
Fri, 11-Jul-2025
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