Min Aung Hlaing sent a reply on Thursday to Washington over concerns of perceived bilateral trade imbalances placed on imports from Myanmar to the U.S.

President Donald Trump’s letter addressed to Min Aung Hlaing on July 7 informed Naypyidaw of the imposition of a 40 percent tariff on all imports from Myanmar into the U.S.

“[The letter] also mentions that the U.S. has requested [Myanmar] to consider reducing tariffs on imports from the [U.S.],” said Zaw Min Tun, the regime spokesperson, adding that Naypyidaw would proceed with “positive engagement.”

Sean Turnell, a former economic advisor to the ousted National League for Democracy (NLD) government, shared on social media that the letter “did not lend legitimacy” to Min Aung Hlaing’s regime. 

Naypyidaw’s response to Washington on July 10 requested a revision of the tariff rates. U.S. President Donald Trump sent notification letters about the increased import tariffs imposed on 14 countries, including Myanmar.

It added that the tariff rate on Myanmar’s imports had been revised from 44 to 40 percent.

In his reply, the Min Aung Hlaing proposed that the U.S. collect tariffs on Myanmar’s imports at 10 to 20 percent, and that Myanmar would adjust its tariffs on U.S. imports from 0 to 10 percent.

Min Aung Hlaing’s response letter addressed to President Trump also stated that if a meeting is required to negotiate these rates, a high-level delegation would be dispatched from Naypyidaw to Washington as soon as possible.

Naypyidaw also requested the easing and lifting of sanctions imposed by the U.S. on Myanmar.

The trade volume between Myanmar 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 Myanmar in 2013.