Myanmar military lifts state of emergency, paving way for year-end election
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
4 hours ago
- Straits Times
US President Trump reserves harshest tariff rates for Laos, Myanmar and Syria
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox US President Donald Trump's revised global tariff plan unveiled on Aug 1 hit Laos and Myanmar hard with a 40 per cent import duty – the second-highest rate in the world behind only Syria at 41 per cent. The White House has not explained its rationale, and US trade with all three is small compared with its other partners. Myanmar remains under US sanctions following its 2021 coup, and Laos has drawn US scrutiny for deepening ties with China. Syria, meanwhile, had been penalised for human rights abuses under former President Bashar Al-Assad, but the US has sought to ease those restrictions since his overthrow last year. In Myanmar's case, trade with the US totalled US$734 million (S$947 million) last year – yet the penalty will deepen an economic collapse that began when Min Aung Hlaing seized power in a coup more than four years ago. Washington has imposed sanctions for what it sees as the junta's use of violence against civilians and suppression of democracy activists. The tariff announcement came just a day after Myanmar's junta lifted emergency rule, paving the way for elections later this year. The US and other governments have criticised the vote as being neither free nor fair. Myanmar's junta chief praised Mr Trump in a rare letter last month and compared his military's coup to the US president's baseless claims of election fraud, suggesting both leaders were victims of rigged votes. Mr Min Aung Hlaing also requested a reduced tariff rate and offered to send a high-level trade delegation to Washington. Deputy Commerce Minister Min Min said by phone the government was unaware of the development and declined to comment. As for Laos, US exports to the South-east Asian nation totalled US$40.4 million last year, while imports reached US$803.3 million. The US has raised concern over its economic dependence on China and mounting debt tied to Chinese infrastructure projects. Mr Trump recently signed an executive order easing sanctions on Syria to help rebuild the war-torn country and support its new government. Observers say there may be a simple reason for the high levies. 'Rather than pick on these three nations, I suspect limited bandwidth in DC led officials to focus on bigger fry,' said Simon Evenett, founder of the St. Gallen Endowment for Prosperity Through Trade, a group based in Switzerland that tracks trade policies. BLOOMBERG
Straits Times
4 hours ago
- Straits Times
World economies reel from Trump's tariffs punch
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The tariffs are a demonstration of raw economic power that Mr Donald Trump sees putting US exporters in a stronger position. WASHINGTON - Global markets reeled on Aug 1 after President Donald Trump's tariffs barrage against nearly all US trading partners as governments looked down the barrel of a seven-day deadline before higher duties take effect. Mr Trump announced late on July 31 that dozens of economies, including the European Union , will face new tariff rates of between 10 and 41 per cent. However, implementation will be on Aug 7 rather than July 31 as previously announced, the White House said. This gives governments a window to rush to strike deals with Washington setting more favorable conditions. Neighbouring Canada, one of the biggest US trade partners, was hit with 35 per cent levies, up from 25 per cent, effective on Aug 1– but with wide-ranging, current exemptions remaining in place. The tariffs are a demonstration of raw economic power that Mr Trump sees putting US exporters in a stronger position, while encouraging domestic manufacturing by keeping out foreign imports. But the muscular approach has raised fears of inflation and other economic fallout in the world's biggest economy. Stock markets in Hong Kong, London and New York slumped as they digested the turmoil, while weak US employment data added to worries. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World Trump deploys nuclear submarines in row with Russia World 'Optimistic' Bessent says US has makings of a deal with China Asia Asia-Pacific economies welcome new US tariff rates, but concerns over extent of full impact remain Singapore Man in SAF custody after allegedly vaping on bus while in army uniform Asia 'Like me? Approach me directly, okay?': Inside a matchmaking event for China's wealthy Opinion America is tearing down another great public institution Opinion Quiet zones in public spaces can help people recharge in the city Singapore Man arrested for allegedly shoplifting twice at Changi Airport Mr Trump's actions come as debate rages over how best to steer the US economy, with the Federal Reserve this week deciding to keep interest rates unchanged, despite massive political pressure from the White House to cut. Data on Aug 1 showed US job growth missing expectations for July, while unemployment ticked up to 4.2 percent from 4.1 per cent. On Wall Street, the S&P 500 dropped 1.6 per cent, while the Nasdaq tumbled 2.2 per cent. Mr Trump raised duties on around 70 economies, from a current 10 per cent level imposed in April when he unleashed 'reciprocal' tariffs citing unfair trade practices. The new, steeper levels listed in an executive order vary by trading partner. Any goods 'transshipped' through other jurisdictions to avoid US duties would be hit with an additional 40 per cent tariff, the order said. But Mr Trump's duties also have a distinctly political flavour, with the president using separate tariffs to pressure Brazil to drop the trial of his far-right ally, former president Jair Bolsonaro. He also warned of trade consequences for Canada, which faces a different set of duties, after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced plans to recognise a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September. In targeting Canada, the White House cited its failure to 'cooperate in curbing the ongoing flood of fentanyl and other illicit drugs' – although Canada is not a major source of illegal narcotics. By contrast, Mr Trump gave more time to Mexico, delaying for 90 days a threat to increase its tariffs from 25 per cent to 30 per cent. But exemptions remain for a wide range of Canadian and Mexican goods entering the United States under an existing North American trade pact. Mr Carney said his government was 'disappointed' with the latest rates hike but noted that with exclusions the US average tariff on Canadian goods remains one of the lowest among US trading partners. With questions hanging over the effectiveness of bilateral trade deals struck – including with the EU and Japan – the outcome of Mr Trump's overall plan remains uncertain. 'No doubt about it – the executive order and related agreements concluded over the past few months tears up the trade rule book that has governed international trade since World War II,' said Ms Wendy Cutler, senior vice president of the Asia Society Policy Institute. On Aug 1, Mr Trump said he would consider distributing a tariff 'dividend' to Americans. Notably excluded from on Aug 1's drama was China, which is in the midst of negotiations with the United States. Washington and Beijing at one point brought tit-for-tat tariffs to triple-digit levels, but have agreed to temporarily lower these duties and are working to extend their truce. Those who managed to strike deals with Washington to avert steeper threatened levies included Vietnam, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, South Korea and the European Union.
Straits Times
5 hours ago
- Straits Times
Trump administration refers Harvard to Justice Department to address anti-Semitism allegations
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Harvard University has been embroiled in a legal fight with the Trump administration, seeking the restoration of billions of dollars of frozen federal funds. WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump's administration has sent a letter to Harvard University saying it has referred the university to the US Justice Department to address allegations of 'Harvard's anti-Semitic discrimination'. In late June, the Trump administration said an investigation had concluded Harvard violated federal civil rights law for failing to address harassment of Jewish and Israeli students. Critics, rights experts and some faculty said such probes are a pretext to assert federal control over schools, and threaten academic freedom and free speech. Harvard has been embroiled in talks and a legal fight with the Trump administration, seeking the restoration of billions of dollars of frozen federal funds for medical research and other programmes. It sued the Trump administration earlier in 2025. 'The parties' several months' engagement has been fruitless,' said the letter dated July 31 from the US Department of Health and Human Services to Harvard's leadership. 'OCR (Office for Civil Rights) therefore has no choice but to refer the matter to DOJ to initiate appropriate proceedings to address Harvard's anti-Semitic discrimination.' Mr Trump has threatened to cut federal funds for universities over pro-Palestinian protests against US ally Israel's war in Gaza. The government alleges universities allowed anti-Semitism during 2024's pro-Palestinian protests. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World Trump deploys nuclear submarines in row with Russia World 'Optimistic' Bessent says US has makings of a deal with China Asia Asia-Pacific economies welcome new US tariff rates, but concerns over extent of full impact remain Singapore Man in SAF custody after allegedly vaping on bus while in army uniform Asia 'Like me? Approach me directly, okay?': Inside a matchmaking event for China's wealthy Opinion America is tearing down another great public institution Opinion Quiet zones in public spaces can help people recharge in the city Singapore Man arrested for allegedly shoplifting twice at Changi Airport Protesters, including some Jewish groups, say the Trump administration wrongly equates their criticism of Israel's military assault in Gaza and its occupation of Palestinian territories with anti-Semitism, and advocacy for Palestinian rights with support for extremism. Campus protesters demanded an end to US backing for Israel and a commitment that their universities will cease investing in weapons makers and companies that support Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories. Harvard had no immediate comment on the July 31 letter. The university has said it aims to combat discrimination. Reports released in April by Harvard's anti-Semitism and Islamophobia task forces found fear and bigotry faced by Jewish, Muslim and Arab students. The Trump administration has not announced equivalent probes into Islamophobia. Last week, Columbia University agreed to pay more than US$220 million (S$286 million) to resolve federal probes. The New York Times has reported Harvard was open to spending up to US$500 million to end its dispute with the US government. REUTERS
