Naypyidaw to negotiate with Washington on tariffs
Regime spokesperson Zaw Min Tun said on Wednesday that Naypyidaw would negotiate with the U.S. administration in Washington over concerns of perceived bilateral trade imbalances placed on imports from Burma to the U.S. starting in August. President Trump sent a letter addressed to regime leader Min Aung Hlaing informing Naypyidaw of the imposition of a 40 percent tariff on July 7.
“[The letter] also mentions that the U.S. has requested [Burma] to consider reducing tariffs on imports from the [U.S.],” Zaw Min Tun told regime media, adding that Naypyidaw would proceed with “positive engagement.” Sean Turnell, a former economic advisor to the ousted National League for Democracy (NLD) government, shared that the letter “did not lend legitimacy” to Min Aung Hlaing’s regime.
The trade volume between Burma and the U.S. amounted to around $588.3 million USD in the 2024-25 financial year, according to the regime. Following the military coup, the U.S. suspended its involvement in the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) on March 29, 2021, which was signed with Burma in 2013.
Central Bank to sell $30 million to curb inflation
The regime-controlled Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) announced on Tuesday that it would sell $30 million USD to fuel businesses for a second time in July in an apparent attempt to stabilize the U.S. dollar and fuel prices. It announced the injection of $33 million USD into the fuel industry on July 1.
A taxi driver in Yangon told DVB on the condition of anonymity that he paid over 3,000 MMK ($0.6 USD) for one liter of gas. The U.S. dollar exchange rate has dropped from its peak in June of 4,600 to 4,480 MMK. This followed the regime’s sale of over $130 million USD to fuel and import businesses in five phases last month.
The CBM sells U.S. dollars online to fuel and import business owners at a rate of 3,500 MMK per USD. It has blacklisted 197 companies for “failing to deposit foreign currency earnings from exports.” The 2012 Foreign Exchange Management Law requires earnings from exports to Asian countries to be deposited within 30 days of shipment, while earnings from exports to other countries must be done within 60 days.
Two more political prisoners die at Obo and Paungde prisons
The Political Prisoner Network Myanmar (PPNM) shared on social media Wednesday that Myint Wai, 59, a member of the ousted NLD party, died from a ruptured appendix in Mandalay’s Obo Prison on Tuesday. And that another political prisoner named Hla Min died of “cardiac arrest” in Paungde Prison in Bago Region on July 5.
The PPNM claimed that Myint Wai had suffered from severe abdominal pain since the beginning of July and was denied any medical treatment despite repeated requests for healthcare. He was serving a 19-year prison sentence. The death of the two men brings the number of political prisoners who have died due to inadequate medical attention to 15 so far this year.
PPNM has documented that at least 130 political prisoners have died in custody with 50 killed during the March 28 earthquake at Obo Prison. Another 60 have died from a lack of adequate medical care. The Assistance Association of Political Prisoners has documented that 22,192 people arrested for opposing the 2021 coup remain in detention.
News by Region
ARAKAN—Residents from Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, and Buthidaung townships in northern Arakan told DVB that flooding has forced them to relocate to higher ground since July 3. The most affected areas are 60–90 miles (97–145 km) north of the state capital Sittwe.
“The villages in the townships are underwater,” a Kyauktaw resident told DVB. Crop fields in at least 10 villages are at risk of being destroyed by the water. This is the third flood in the region since the start of the monsoon season, according to residents.
KACHIN—Residents of Hpakant Township told DVB that the Uru River broke its banks and flooded nearby settlements on Tuesday. Hpakant is located 94-158 miles (151-254 km) west and northwest of the state capital Myitkyina and the KIA headquarters of Laiza.
“It’s usual for these settlements to be flooded when it rains heavily,” a resident of Hpakant’s Lonekhin village told DVB on the condition of anonymity. Another resident told DVB that the heavy rain could cause the collapse of tailings ponds at jade mining sites.
SHAN—A source in northern Shan told DVB that talks between the regime and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) in Lashio ended without any agreement. The regime demanded the return of Hsenwi Township, which came under MNDAA control on Jan. 7, 2024. Hsenwi is located 31 miles (49 km) north of Lashio.
The source told DVB on the condition of anonymity that the regime had reinforced its positions in Lashio and the MNDAA had its forces “on stand-by.” The MNDAA handed over control of Lashio and the Northeastern Regional Military Command (RMC) headquarters to the regime on April 22 as part of a China-brokered ceasefire.
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,480 MMK)
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