Trump’s policy indirectly eases armed conflicts in Myanmar by cutting funds to oppositions
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By Phyo Lin Aung (NP News) - Jan 2
Recently, the international community has expressed concern over the Trump administration’s decision to freeze nearly all foreign aid, except for that allocated to Israel and Egypt. The administration encouraged U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) employees to support efforts to reshape global aid distribution in line with Trump's "America First" policy, warning of "disciplinary action" for staff who did not comply with these directives, according to international media outlets. This move followed President Donald Trump's signing of an executive order on the matter.
The freeze on U.S. aid has raised concerns for certain groups in Myanmar, many of whom rely on support from organizations like USAID and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). For example, several insurgent groups are closely linked with the Burma Act under USAID, while many pro-insurrection media outlets abroad depend on NED’s funding. Therefore, reduction of assistance to the opposition groups in Myanmar, including exile so-called news media outlets, is expected to somehow ease the military tensions in Myanmar.
Since the passage of the Burma Act of 2022, Myanmar’s insurgent groups hoped the U.S. would broaden its definition of aid and assistance to the region. Under the Biden administration, the U.S. National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2022 included the Burma Act as a provision, which was subsequently amended and re-enacted.
U Yan Naing Win, vice-chairman of the Federal Democratic Party, stated in an interview with The Statesman Journal that, "The Burma Act has provided funds to our country, but most of it has gone to ethnic areas. To be honest, the Burma Act is not actually helping those who are truly suffering in Myanmar. It’s like pouring gasoline on the flames—just creating more destruction in conflict zones. The armed groups fighting against the State Administration Council (SAC) government are doing so mainly because they are receiving financial support under the Burma Act."
It is observed that funds under the U.S. Burma Act are primarily flowing to the exile and parallel National Unity Government (NUG) and ethnic armed groups which are the opposition groups to the SAC government. U Khaing Min, vice-chairman of the New National Democracy Party, commented, "The Burma
Act is just one of many actions they’ve taken to bring suffering to our nation. This is something that does not benefit us. To be clear, the Burma Act is simply a way of supporting and assisting militants within Myanmar. It is not the kind of work that good friends should be doing. It’s like handing a knife to a thief."
According to these political representatives, the Burma Act is seen as fueling Myanmar's ongoing conflict. Therefore, the freeze on foreign aid, including the Burma Act, will have a significant impact on armed groups in Myanmar.
The impact also extends to media outlets that rely on American support. Recently, it was revealed that a pro-insurrection news media ‘Mizzima’ received a letter from Internews, its donor. The letter informed Mizzim that all funding would be halted immediately. Internews, which is part of USAID has long been a key partner in the arena of Myanmar politics. The immediate consequence of this decision is that 86 Burmese employees of Mizzima will lose their jobs. This situation is being seen as a significant example of the impact of Trump’s policies.
As a news editor within the country noted, “Regarding the reduction in foreign aid, media outlets on the border and those based in opposition-held areas have relied heavily on foreign grants. However, after President Trump took office in the U.S., it seems these grants have been completely cut off. Some media outlets have faced salary cuts, others have been laid off, and some have even had to cease operations altogether. This has had a significant impact on media organizations. They now have to think about how to adapt and survive under these new circumstances.”
In the media community, it is true that outlets sometimes cater to the preferences of donors. While it’s possible to find donors that align with their interests, the concern is that trying too hard to please donors can lead to extremes or biased coverage. This is especially true because most donors are from the U.S., meaning some topics or issues may be framed in ways that align more with U.S. interests, rather than offering a balanced perspective.
Additionally, if the U.S. stops providing aid, other European countries might step in. However, their support is unlikely to match the scale of U.S. assistance. As a result, media outlets that rely on foreign donors are expected to see a noticeable decrease in funding, according to comments from media industry insiders.
Reports have emerged that health care services at the refugee camps along the Thailand-Myanmar border have been suspended since the morning of January 27. This follows the decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to temporarily halt international aid. As a result, the International Rescue Committee (IRC),
which has been providing health assistance to refugees along the Thailand-Myanmar border, has been forced to suspend its support for 90 days due to the stoppage of U.S. aid.
Besides the impacts on American aid, some of these measures could also affect Myanmar immigrants in the U.S. Currently, Trump’s mass deportation efforts largely target undocumented and illegal immigrants. Although Myanmar political asylum seekers are not included in this criterion for now, the future remains uncertain.
While Trump’s mass deportation efforts have mainly focused on undocumented immigrants, asylum seekers could still face deportation if their claims are rejected or if they are caught entering or staying illegally. Trump’s administration introduced stricter measures, such as limiting asylum claims at the border and attempting to restrict access to asylum for people from certain countries. As a result, the future for political asylum seekers from Myanmar in the U.S. remains uncertain.
In conclusion, the Trump administration’s "America First" policy has significantly impacted Myanmar’s opposition groups, particularly through the freezing of foreign aid. The future remains uncertain, and the ripple effects of these policies will likely be felt by those who had hoped for continued foreign support in their efforts against the government. –