Myanmar Remains Hopeful on US Trade Deal
Myanmar says talks with the US continue despite Trump’s 40% tariff on its goods.
Despite the imposition of a steep 40% tariff by the United States, Myanmar’s military government remains optimistic about securing a trade agreement with Washington, aiming to ease tensions and bolster its struggling economy.
Ongoing Negotiations Amid Sanctions
Zaw Min Tun, spokesperson for the State Security and Peace Commission, told Bloomberg on Saturday that discussions with the US are ongoing: “The US continues to negotiate with us on this, so it’s still in a stage of negotiation.”
In a proposal to Washington, Myanmar has offered to slash tariffs on American imports from 88% down to a range of 0%–15%. In return, it expects the US to reduce its tariffs on Myanmar goods to between 0% and 7%.
However, the diplomatic channels through which these talks are proceeding remain unclear. The US maintains sanctions against Myanmar’s military leadership following the 2021 coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government.
Political Praise and a Trade Gambit
Last month, junta leader Min Aung Hlaing made a rare outreach by praising Donald Trump in a letter, comparing their respective political struggles and alleging both were victims of election fraud. He used the letter to request tariff relief and proposed sending a high-level trade delegation to Washington.
Despite modest trade volumes between the two countries — bilateral trade dropped to $588.3 million in the fiscal year ending March, down from $701.9 million the previous year — Myanmar appears eager to rebuild ties amid its worsening economic outlook.
Domestic Crisis and International Skepticism
Facing civil unrest and an economic collapse since the military takeover, the junta recently lifted a 54-month-long state of emergency. It now promises general elections in December, a move viewed with skepticism by much of the international community, which sees it as an attempt to legitimize military rule.
Myanmar’s hopes for trade normalization come as Trump imposes harsh tariffs across several countries — reserving the steepest rates for nations like Laos, Syria, and Myanmar.
Whether the US will respond positively to Myanmar’s overtures remains to be seen, especially given the political baggage tied to the country’s authoritarian rule and human rights record.