US Lifts Sanctions On Myanmar Junta Allies After General’s Letter Praises Trump

The United States on Thursday lifted sanctions on several allies of Myanmar’s military rulers, two weeks after the ruling junta leader praised US president Donald Trump and called for easing sanctions. The US Treasury department announced the decision lifting sanctions on four companies that were previously blacklisted for their ties to the Myanmar military regime. 

Human Rights Watch called the move “extremely worrying” and claimed it to be a major shift in US policy towards Myanmar’s military. The military overthrew a democratically elected government in 2021 and has been implicated in crimes against humanity and genocide. 

The entities removed from the sanctions include KT Services & Logistics and its founder, Jonathan Myo Kyaw Thaung; the MCM Group and its owner Aung Hlaing Oo; and Suntac Technologies and its owner Sit Taing Aung; and another individual, Tin Latt Min. 

The Treasury department did not offer any explanation for the decision. On July 11, Myanmar's ruling military general, Min Aung Hlaing, asked Trump in a letter for a reduction in the 40% tariff rate on his country's exports to the U.S. and said he was ready to send a negotiating team to Washington if needed.

"The senior general acknowledged the president's strong leadership in guiding his country towards national prosperity with the spirit of a true patriot," state media said at the time, Reuters reported. 

In response to Trump’s letter notifying of a tariff hike, Min Aung Hlaing requested for the tariffs to be reduced to 10 to 20 percent. 

Min Aung Hlaing also asked Trump "to reconsider easing and lifting the economic sanctions imposed on Myanmar, as they hinder the shared interests and prosperity of both countries and their peoples." He further expressed his willingness to send a delegation to Washington for negotiations.