Yangon — Myanmar's military leader lauded President Trump and asked him to lift sanctions, the ruling junta said Friday, after a tariff letter from the U.S. president that it has taken as Washington's first public recognition of its rule.

Myanmar's ruling military general has asked U.S. President Donald Trump for a reduction in the 40% tariff rate on his country's exports to the U.S. and is ready to send a negotiation team to Washington if needed,

The US State Department sanctioned the junta chief and others for using "violence and terror to oppress" Burmese people

Myanmar’s junta chief Min Aung Hlaing praised Donald Trump in a rare letter and compared his military’s coup to the US president’s baseless claims of election fraud, suggesting both leaders were victims of rigged votes.

The U.S. has sanctioned Myanmar's military junta and refused to acknowledge its rule, so Mr. Trump's personal letter to its leader was welcomed, despite the subject.

India may secure a strategic edge over regional rivals as the Trump administration considers a trade pact slashing proposed tariffs below 20 per cent. Unlike many nations facing sharp hikes, India is unlikely to receive a formal tariff notice ahead of the August 1 deadline.

Trump insiders maintain that it would make little sense — politically or from a policy standpoint — for the president to offer any further extensions on trade.