CNI Newsn

12 July 2025

The SAC chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing sent a negotiating letter to the US President Donald Trump, in which he told the president to impose 0 to 10 percent  trade tariff on imports from Myanmar. 

The US president Donald Trump sent a notice to the SAC chairman, in which he would impose 40 percent trade tariff on imports from Myanmar on July 7, 2025.

Then, the SAC chairman sent a reply to Trump in which he wanted to negotiate with the US about the trade tariff by sending a Myanmar high-level delegation to the US on July 9, 2025. 

While seeing the letter sent to the President Trump by the SAC chairman

“In order to achieve balanced trade between Myanmar and the United States, we would like to propose and negotiate a tariff adjustment of 10 to 20 percent on exports from Myanmar to the United States and 0 to 10 percent on imports from the United States to Myanmar. If necessary, we would like to quickly send a high-level delegation from Myanmar to meet and negotiate with relevant officials in the US,” said the SAC chairman.

US President Donald Trump is known for his unpredictable behavior, so he might accept the Myanmar's request, but it remains to be seen how much of a reduction will be made, Agriculture and Economic Advisor Ko Zaw Min Naing told CNI News.

While seeing the Myanmar garment industry

“It’s hard to predict, because the US President himself tend to do things very unexpected and we see news that the US Secretary of State prioritize his foreign policy a little bit more focus on Asia and Southeast Asia. It cannot be said that the US is unlikely to comply with this SAC request. We will have to wait and see how Donald Trump's foreign policy will play out in ASEAN and Southeast Asia. There is a possibility that Trump might respond something. He might be able to comply with the request. But it's difficult to estimate how much percentage he will reduce. Now, Donald Trump is playing his policy in Southeast Asia. As I said earlier, it also depends on whether he plays against China," he said.

Economic analysts have warned that if the SAC fails to ease the US's 40 percent trade tariff on Myanmar, the garment industry could be hurt and unemployment could rise.

The trade value between the US and Myanmar was US$ 701 million in the 2023-2024 fiscal year and over US$ 588.3 million in the 2024-2025 fiscal year, said Major General Zaw Min Tun, leader of the Information Team of the SAC.

CNI News
13 July 2025

Given the current political situation in Myanmar, military and political observers are questioning whether the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) should be revised.

The NCA was signed on October 15, 2015, during the Thein Sein government, and will be ten years old on October 15, 2025.

The NCA process has been stalled since 2020 and there will be issues to discuss regarding the reliability of the NCA in the peace process going forward, 7EAOs Alliance spokesperson Colonel Saw Kyaw Nyunt told CNI News.

“There are various speculations. The NCA agreement was drafted after negotiations between the two sides in 2013-2014. However, when it was signed in 2015, not all the organizations that negotiated did not participate. This is also reality. However, we have also carried out the implementation of the NCA agreement from 2015 to 2020. Not everything was smooth sailing. However, after 2020, all of our NCA processes have been halted to this day. So, regarding this NCA agreement, to what extent can it be referenced in the future peace process? To what extent can it be relied upon? I think there are many issues that we will continue to discuss," he said.

While the NCA was being signed

The government led by U Thein Sein offered a ceasefire on August 18, 2011, and held talks with 21 ethnic armed organizations. Then, between 2011 and 2012, state-level and union-level ceasefire agreements (Bilateral) were signed with 14 ethnic armed groups.

Negotiations for the NCA began in 2013 and a draft NCA was received in August 2015. After receiving the draft NCA, it was signed by KNU, RCSS, ALP, DKBA, KNU/KNLA-PC, PNLO, CNF, ABSDF on October 15, 2015, and by NMSP and LDU on February 13, 2018.

The NCA did not have many points to be amended, but it was necessary to review the points that are not working at this time and fix those that needed to be fixed, Tai Leng (Shanni) Nationalities Development Party (TNDP) Chairman Sai Htay Aung told CNI News.

“This NCA was started by the armed groups. We also participated in the peace process under the government by U Thein Sein. Laiza wanted to write the pledge books. When they said they wanted to do that, they started writing them in Laiza.After writing it in Laiza, it was confirmed with witnesses. After confirming it, it was handed over to U Aung Mina (former Minister of the President's Office of Myanmar, chairperson of Myanmar Peace Centre).  Then the government renegotiates and talks back, which is only about 10 percent. The EAOs drafted the NCA, which is about 90 percent. The government has given in. Many of their wishes are in this. After signing the NCA, all plans have been laid out for what will be done within 90 days. Since the NCA was made by the EAO, there is not much to amend. There may be a few minor ‌amendments. We should look at the sectors that are not working and then fix them. What I see is that we need to analyze what is not working in practice  in the NCA agreement, and then fix them" he said.

While seeing leaders of armed groups

Currently, the ABSDF, CNF, and KNU announced that the NCA agreement has been void and then thery are engaged in clashes with the Myanmar Tatmadaw.

The PNLO, ALP, LDU, and NMSP have also split into two groups, one claiming to have withdrawn from the NCA and the other claiming to remain on the NCA path.

Furthermore, while there are opinions that the NCA should be amended, there  are still no specific comments as to which points should be amended.

CNI News

11 July 2025

 Myanmar's garment industry could be hurt and unemployment rates could rise as the US President Donald Trump sent a notice in which the US would impose a 40 percent trade tariff on Myanmar, U Htay Aung Kyi, an economic analyst, told CNI News.

The SAC would conduct negotiations and discussions with the US after receiving the US President Trump's notification in which the US would impose a 40 percent trade tariff on Myanmar, said Major General Zaw Min Tun, leader of the SAC's Information Team on July 8.

Because the US would impose a 40 percent tariff on Myanmar, not only more economic problems but also more unemployment problems could emerge in Myanmar,  economic analyst U Htay Aung Kyi told CNI News.

Major General Zaw Min Tun

“Myanmar’s biggest export is Garments. It’s currently worth about $800 million. But 40 percent is the highest among all Southeast Asian countries. If taxes are raised, it becomes a tax burden. If taxes are increased, skilled workers may become unemployed, older people may become unemployed, and costs may increase. There are also businesses that export Chinese brands from Myanmar. It's not just an economic problem. It could also lead to other consistent problems," he said.

The trade value between Myanmar and the United States reached 701.9 million US dollars in the 2023-2024 fiscal year and more than 588.3 million US dollars in the 2024-2025 fiscal year, said Major General Zaw Min Tun, leader of the Infrmation Team of the SAC.

The economic sanctions imposed on Myanmar by the United States, Europe, and Western countries are causing the Myanmar economy to decline and unemployment rates to rise. 

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim

Then, the International Labor Organization (ILO) imposed sanctions on Myanmar, affecting the garment industry, and unemployment is increasing due to the withdrawal of investment in the garment industry.

US President Donald Trump has sent notices saying he will impose 25% trade tariffs on South Korea, Japan and Malaysia, 40% on Laos and Myanmar, 36% on Cambodia and Thailand, 32% on Indonesia and 20% on Vietnam. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim warned on July 9 ahead of the ASEAN meeting that global trade is being used as a weapon, the AP reported.

The ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on July 9 focused on the issue of the US's trade tariff hike. Six ASEAN members are among the 14 countries where the US's trade tariffs will take effect from August 1.

CNI News

12 July 2025

The SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said that Myanmar wanted to urgently send a high-level delegation to the US in order to meet and negotiate with relevant officials regarding the US's notice that it will impose a 40 percent trade tariff on Myanmar.

On July 7, 2025, the US President Donald Trump sent a letter to the SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing notifying him that the US would impose a 40 percent trade tariff on Myanmar.

Then, SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing sent a letter to President Donald Trump on July 9, 2025, in which he requested that Myanmar wanted to send a high-level delegation to the United States for negotiations.

 “In order to achieve balanced trade between Myanmar and the United States, we would like to propose and negotiate a tariff adjustment of 10 to 20 percent on exports from Myanmar to the United States and 0 to 10 percent on imports from the United States to Myanmar. If necessary, we would like to quickly send a high-level delegation from Myanmar to meet and negotiate with relevant officials in the US,” said the SAC chairman.

In his letter to President Trump, the SAC chairman said that Myanmar is currently one of the poorest countries in the world, and the past five years have seen a series of severe challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters such as Cyclone Mocha, Cyclone Yagi, and a 7.7-magnitude earthquake. So, the Myanmar people are facing enormous challenges.

“The international community has imposed sanctions on Myanmar based on false information without knowing the true situation in Myanmar. The United States has also imposed sanctions on Myanmar, and these sanctions are of no benefit to our two countries. Therefore, we would like to request that the previously imposed economic sanctions be lifted in the interests of the people from both countries,” he said.

Economic analysts have warned that if the SAC fails to ease the US's 40 percent trade tariff on Myanmar, the garment industry could be hurt and unemployment could rise.

The trade value between the US and Myanmar was US$ 701 million in the 2023-2024 fiscal year and US$ 588.3 million in the 2024-2025 fiscal year, said Major General Zaw Min Tun, leader of the Information Team of the SAC.

CNI News

11 July 2025

The Mon State Defense Force (MSDF) announced on July 10, 2025, that Dr. Thiri Mon Chan, who was serving as the chairman of the Political and Military Steering Committee, had been dismissed from his position.

The Mon State Defense Force (MSDF) Political and Military Steering Committee Regular Meeting (6/2024) was held on February 18, 2024, and the Political and Military Steering Committee was reorganized and Dr. Thiri Mon Chan was elected as the Chairman by the committee members.

The MSDF then issued a statement stating that Dr. Thiri Mon Chan's words, and actions had created difficulties and inconveniences to continue to work together. 

Therefore, the Mon State Defense Force (MSDF) Political and Military Steering Committee convened an emergency meeting on July 9, 2025, and discussed the matter. The statement said that, in accordance with the wishes of all committee members, the Mon State Defense Force (MSDF) Political and Military Steering Committee decided to unconditionally revoke all responsibilities assigned to Dr. Thiri Mon Chan and dismiss him from the MSDF.

While seeing the statement saying that Dr. Thiri Mon Chan is dismissed

The MSDF announced that within thirty days, the MSDF Political Military Steering Committee will be expanded and new members will be elected to carry out revolutionary duties. 

The Mon State Defense Force (MSDF) was formed on September 16, 2021, and it is one of the four Mon armed groups that joined together in order to form the Mon Army on December 18, 2024. 

The four armed groups are the Mon Liberation Army (MLA), the Mon National Liberation Army (MNLA-AD), the Mon State Defense Force (MSDF) and the Mon State Revolutionary Force.

CNI News

11 July 2025

The detained National League for Democracy (NLD) leaders should be released in order to become elections that include all the stakeholders, Sai Nyunt Lwin, chairman of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), told CNI News. 

All relevant stakeholders in Myanmar need to create an environment that is supportive to holding an election, Malaysia's foreign minister told the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 9.

“The NLD leaders who won the 2020 election need to be released. So that they can consider running in the election. I understand that the current situation is not an all-inclusive situation. The NLD party, which won the 2020 election, the SNLD party, which received the third most votes, and the ANP party are not involved in the upcoming election. He (the Malaysian Foreign Minister) did not mean elections that don't include such parties. I understand that he meant that a situation where these parties can take part in elections must be created," he said.

Malaysian Foreign Minister

In addition, ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn met separately with Acting Secretary of the SAC's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, U Kyaw Nyunt Oo in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 

It is not known what topics were discussed, but it is understood that they discussed views on the agreements reached at the 46th ASEAN Summit, including efforts to build an ASEAN community.

On July 4, the SAC announced that it had invited the PDF and armed groups to participate in the upcoming elections.  All those involved in the current broader Myanmar political landscape should first find a way forward by meeting informally, Col. Saw Kyaw Nyunt, a spokesperson for the 7 EAOs Alliance, told CNI News.

While ASEAN Foreign Ministers' meeting was being held

"If a person talks about such a large and widespread conflict, his opinions and attitudes won't be the same as others.Based on the situation that has arisen, the groups involved can first find a way, either informally or through international cooperation,and then meetings and discussions can be conducted. This is also a way to find a solution" he said.

The SAC chairman said that elections will be held in 267 townships in December 2025 and January 2026, and that power will be transferred to the winning party.

However, the revolutionary forces have vowed to disrupt the election.

Therefore, the SAC issued a statement on July 4 stating that it would welcome armed groups, including the PDF, if they would legally stand within the framework of the law and work with the government and the Tatmadaw for the national and regional interests with a view to the emergence of a union based on democracy and federalism.

CNI News
10 July 2025

A PDF drug trafficking group with the support of the PDF No. (15) Battalion Commander in Yinmabin District, Sagaing Region had been arrested by the Chinland Defense Force-Hakha, announced the CDF (Hakha) on July 10, 2025.

A PDF group that trafficked narcotic drugs with the support of the commander of the PDF No. (15) Battalion in Yinmabin District, crossed the Var Bridge in Falam Township and entered Hakha Township when the group was arrested by the CDF (Hakha) on July 8.

The group carried about 3 million methamphetamine pills and 110 kilograms of No. 4 heroin in two cars, Hilux 9k-1693 and Forland 1J-6811 and with the two cars and narcotic drugs, two automatic rifles and two Mini Starlinks were seized. Among those who carried narcotic drugs, three revolutionary comrades, a driver and a helper were arresed, announced the CDF (Hakha).

The group said that Maung Zaw Latt (real name: U Win Maw) and Ko Badee (real name: U Kyaw Min Zaw), who were responsible for transporting the drugs, had fled. The seized narcotics and psychotropic substances were burned on July 9, 2025, and those arrested would be prosecuted according to the law, the Chinland Defense Force-Hakha announced.

Then, the Chinland Defense Force – Hakha announced that they will take effective action if they find any more production, distribution, sale, use, and transportation of narcotics and psychotropic substances in Hakha Township.

CNI News
9 July 2025

The SAC will return to negotiations after US President Donald Trump sent the SAC a letter in which he would impose higher tariffs on imports from Myanmar to the US, said Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun, leader of the SAC's Information Team.

President Donald Trump's letter said that the United States would impose a 40 per cent tariff on imports from Myanmar and that the US had requested Myanmar to consider reducing tariffs on imports from the United States. Furthermore, Myanmar would be allowed to put investments in the US, he said on July 8, 2025.

" Regarding the letter, Myanmar government firstly will carry out positive negotiations with the US and replies. Secondly, we hope that beneficial results for the two countries will be achieved through these negotiations." said Major General Zaw Min Tun.

The trade value between Myanmar and the US was about $ 701 million in the 2023-2024 fiscal year and more than $ 588.3 million in the 2024-2025 fiscal year, he said.

The US President Donald Trump sent letters in which he would raise trade tariffs on imports to Myanmar and other countries.

CNI News

9 July 2025

Mutual trust is essential to armed groups, including the People's Defense Forces (PDF), to participate in the elections to be held by the SAC, Col. Saw Kyaw Nyunt, spokesperson for the 7 EAOs Alliance, told CNI News. 

The SAC announced on July 4, 2025 that it had invited the PDF and armed groups to participate in the upcoming elections. 

Taking part in the invitation by the armed groups and the PDF, given the current low trust between the two sides, posed many challenges and difficulties, 7 EAOs Alliance spokesman Colonel Saw Kyaw Nyunt told CNI News.

“In any case, at a time when our country is facing intense military conflicts and peace is being destroyed, it is good that SAC has invited these armed groups. However, I think that mutual trust is very necessary for them to participate in the invitation. At this time, there are shootings all over the country. And at a time when trust is declining, there will be challenges and difficulties to enable these armed groups to accept the invitation. What should we do? I think it would be good if we could first build trust between the two sides. The best way to achieve the mutual trust is to carry out step by step through the agreement from the two sides, that I understand." he said.

The SAC has stated that the emergence of a union based on democracy and federalism, and the amendment of the constitution in accordance with the union based on democracy and federalism, will require continued negotiations with the Hluttaw and government that will emerge from the upcoming multi-party democratic general election. 

The statement said that armed groups, including the PDF, would be welcome if they would work together with the national government and the military to achieve national and regional interests, legally standing within the framework of the law, and envisioning the emergence of a greater union based on democracy and federalism.

Furthermore, the statement also said that continuing to follow the armed path will not benefit the nation and will drive democracy back.

 Inviting the PDF and armed groups for the only reason that will build a union based on democracy and federalism is not enough in the current situation, the Tai Leng (Shanni) Nationalities Development Party (TNDP) Chairman Sai Htay Aung told CNI News. 

“On the other hand,  as there are those waging an armed resistance with a slogan 'there is no need to discuss the blood debt, I think it would be better if the SAC invited them not only to build the country on a democratic and federal basis, but also to discuss other issues. "How can we best build the country? And what will we do after the election? We need to talk and organize about the good things of the country. If we can meet in person, we'll meet in person. There are intermediary organizations such as CSOs to enable the two sides to meet. If we organize through them, we hope that more people will join us," he said.

The SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has said that elections will be held in 267 townships in December 2025 and January 2026, and state power will be handed over to the winning party. 

However, the revolutionary forces have vowed to sabotage the election without fail.