25 April 2025

🔥 Tariff Escalation Timeline

• Feb 1: U.S. imposes a 10% blanket tariff on all Chinese imports.
• Mar 3: Tariffs increase to 20%.
• Apr 2: Tariffs rise to 54%.
• Apr 9: Tariffs escalate to 125%.
• Apr 10: Tariffs peak at 145%.    

In response, China imposes:

• Apr 11: 125% tariffs on U.S. goods.

📊 Trade Impact

• U.S. Imports from China: Projected to shrink by 40%.
• Global Container Shipping: Expected 1% decline due to U.S. trade policies.
• U.S. Trade Deficit with China (Jan–Feb 2025): $52.9 billion. 

💸 Economic Consequences

• Average U.S. Household Cost: Tariffs amount to an average tax increase of $1,243 per household in 2025.
• Corporate Earnings: Major firms like Procter & Gamble and PepsiCo have revised earnings forecasts downward due to tariff impacts.
• Consumer Prices: Prices for goods from retailers like Shein and Temu could rise by up to 125%.  

🛠️ Strategic Responses

            China’s Measures:

• Bolstering unemployment insurance and raising incomes.
• Considering lifting tariffs on select U.S. imports like semiconductors.

            U.S. Considerations:

• Potentially reducing tariffs to 50–65% to ease tensions. 

Source : Various News Sources

Nay Pyi Taw, April 22, 2025 — The Myanmar military, also known as the Tatmadaw, has extended its temporary ceasefire until April 30, 2025, in an effort to support ongoing reconstruction and humanitarian efforts following recent earthquakes.

The Office of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services issued the announcement on Tuesday, stating that the ceasefire, originally scheduled to end on April 22, will now remain in effect for an additional week.

According to the statement, the extension is aimed at facilitating rehabilitation in disaster-affected regions and fostering conditions favorable for peace and national stability. The Tatmadaw emphasized the importance of unity among all ethnic groups and communities in accelerating recovery and ensuring the well-being of citizens.

“The Tatmadaw aims to facilitate swifter recovery, uphold the welfare of the nation and its citizens, and create conditions conducive to lasting peace and stability” the military said in its statement.

However, the Tatmadaw also issued a warning to ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) and other groups, cautioning against activities that could undermine the ceasefire. Any acts of aggression, military mobilization, or territorial expansion would be met with defensive measures, the military warned, reiterating its commitment to civilian protection.

This marks the second ceasefire extension in recent weeks. The initial truce, covering April 2–22, was declared in response to the devastating impact of natural disasters across several regions of the country.

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22 April 2025 | Yangon

China has reiterated its support for Myanmar’s efforts toward political reconciliation through friendly consultations, according to a statement issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Speaking at a regular press briefing in Beijing on April 21, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mr. Guo Jiakun responded to a question from AFP concerning the recent handover of Lashio by the Kokang’s Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) to the Myanmar Ruling State Administration Council (SAC).

While Mr. Guo did not explicitly mention Lashio in his remarks, he emphasized China’s consistent position on Myanmar, affirming support for the resumption of the country’s political transition process.

“China and Myanmar are friendly neighbors. China’s position on the Myanmar issue is very clear. We follow the principle of non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs,” Guo said.

The spokesperson also stated that China supports Myanmar in safeguarding its independence, sovereignty, national unity, and territorial integrity.

The statement reaffirms Beijing’s approach of encouraging political dialogue while maintaining its long-held policy of non-intervention.

knl/ymg

21 April 2025

According to an official data released at 7:00 PM on 20-4-2025, the latest updates on the earthquake-related incidents are as follows:

Casualties/Missing Persons

    Deaths: 3,735

    Injured: 5,108

    Missing: 120

International Aid

    Number of assisting countries: 25 (including Hong Kong)

    Flights: 145 trips

    Ships: 6 vessels

    Vehicles: 23 units

    Relief supplies: 2,514.6 tons

    Rescue equipment: 1,197.12 tons

    Rescue personnel: 2,094

Latest Update: The seventh batch of rescue supplies from China has arrived by plane.

Source: SAC Information team

Yangon, April 20, 2025

The seventh batch of emergency humanitarian earthquake relief supplies from the Government of the People’s Republic of China arrived in Myanmar on April 20, according to official reports.

This latest consignment, comprising over 95 tons of medical supplies, includes 800,000 bottles of Amoxicillin tablets, 122,000 bottles of Acetaminophen injections, 225,000 bottles of Cephradine capsules, and 480,000 bottles of Ibuprofen. The Chinese Embassy in Myanmar confirmed the details in a press release.

Authorities have announced that the supplies will be promptly transported to regions most affected by the recent earthquake for immediate distribution and use.

This delivery follows a series of support efforts from China. The sixth batch of relief supplies, which arrived on April 11, contained 23 folding tents, cooking equipment, solar-powered reading lamps, soap and liquid soap, shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrushes, and detergent powder.

To date, China is among 25 countries providing active support for Myanmar's ongoing earthquake relief and recovery operations.

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Nay Pyi Taw, April 19 2025 - The devastating earthquake that struck Mandalay on March 28 continues to leave a trail of destruction and grief, with the official death toll rising to 3,726 as of 7:00 AM on April 18, according to Myanmar’s National Natural Disaster Management Committee. A further 5,105 individuals have been reported injured, while 129 remain missing.

The 7. 7-magnitude earthquake has triggered a series of 142 aftershocks, compounding the damage and hampering relief efforts. Infrastructure across the region has suffered immense losses, including 65,096 homes and buildings, 2,514 schools, 4,317 monasteries and nunneries, and 6,027 pagodas. Additionally, 350 hospitals and clinics, 38 railway segments, 269 roads, 203 expressway sections, 586 dams and barrages, and 170 bridges have been severely impacted.

Rescue efforts led by the Myanmar Fire Services Department, in coordination with local authorities and international partners, have thus far saved 653 survivors and recovered 754 bodies. Teams from 16 foreign countries are participating in the ongoing operations, having successfully rescued 8 individuals and retrieved 203 victims.

Humanitarian assistance continues to arrive from across the globe. Relief shipments from 25 countries and Hong Kong have been delivered via 136 aircraft, 6 ships, and 23 ground vehicles. These shipments include 3,503.57 tons of aid, comprising 2,332.98 tons of essential relief materials and 1,170.59 tons of rescue equipment. A total of 1,975 medical and emergency personnels have been deployed to support the relief mission.

Authorities have emphasized that all donated supplies are being distributed promptly to reach affected communities. The massive response underscores the global solidarity and humanitarian commitment as Myanmar confronts one of the deadliest natural disasters in its recent history.

Relief operations remain ongoing as the nation begins the long road to recovery.

#ymg/knl