Myanmar Junta Chief Praises Trump in Bid to Lift Sanctions

[geovalin]

CINCDS

 

Myanmar’s military ruler Min Aung Hlaing has praised Donald Trump’s leadership and echoed his claims of election fraud, after receiving a letter from the former U.S. president warning of upcoming trade tariffs. The junta has interpreted the message as a de facto recognition of its regime—despite ongoing U.S. sanctions and official non-engagement.

 

In a letter released Friday by the junta’s information office, Min Aung Hlaing expressed “sincere appreciation” to Mr Trump for his correspondence, which confirmed a 40% tariff on Myanmar imports from August—lower than the previously threatened 44%. It was one of 20 similar letters Trump reportedly sent to foreign leaders in recent days.

 

The junta chief went further, aligning his own 2021 military coup with Trump’s baseless narrative of a stolen U.S. election. “Myanmar also experienced major electoral fraud and significant irregularities,” he claimed, defending the ousting of Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government.

 

Trump’s letter did not address Myanmar’s human rights record or acknowledge the regime’s status directly. But observers say the communication is symbolically significant. “It’s certainly the first public indication I’ve seen of U.S. acknowledgement of MAH and the junta,” said Richard Horsey of the International Crisis Group.

 

The U.S. State Department continues to sanction Min Aung Hlaing for leading a brutal crackdown that has plunged the country into civil war, with thousands killed and displaced since 2021. However, Mr Trump’s outreach has clearly been seized as an opportunity by the junta, which is now urging a complete lifting of sanctions and requesting lower tariffs—between 10 and 20%.

 

Min Aung Hlaing also thanked Trump for cutting funding to Voice of America and Radio Free Asia’s Burmese services—two independent news outlets that were often critical of the junta and have since ceased local operations.

 

As Myanmar’s regime grows increasingly dependent on China and Russia, the junta leader’s flattery appears aimed at diversifying alliances and seeking economic relief from a shifting U.S. political landscape. Whether it succeeds remains to be seen—but the gesture marks a rare and striking moment of diplomatic theatre.

 

-2025-07-12

[Hamus Yaigh]

This dynamic isn’t just two misguided leaders but also the Myanmar thug opportunistically leveraging the other’s apparent lack of strategic depth or dimness of world affairs highlighted with his ridiculous tariff letter, with significant risks for U.S. credibility and Myanmar’s ongoing crisis.

[klauskunkel]

Quote

Myanmar Junta Chief Praises Trump in Bid to Lift Sanctions

this might actually work...

[novacova]

On 7/12/2025 at 9:23 AM, geovalin said:

The junta has interpreted the message as a de facto recognition of its regime

Delusional 

[Scouse123]

2 hours ago, klauskunkel said:

this might actually work...

 

Yup,

 

Massaging Trump's ego and anything can happen.