Myanmar's Mandalay shows signs of recovery after devastating earthquake

More than a week after a powerful 7.9-magnitude earthquake devastated central Myanmar, Mandalay, the hardest-hit region, is showing signs of recovery featuring business reopening and relocation of affected residents.

Amid continued search and rescue operations, businesses are gradually reopening. A grocery store has seen doubling of customers since reopening on April 1. Essential supplies, including food, beverages and personal care items, are largely back to pre-earthquake levels, with residents preferring necessities like toiletries and non-perishable foods such as bread and noodles.

Other businesses such as fruit stands and barber shops are also welcoming customers back.

Despite progress in continued search and rescue and business reopening, significant challenges remain for many residents. In a neighborhood west of Mandalay, dozens of homes were damaged, forcing residents to sleep outside and even seek new shelters due to recent thunderstorms.

With the support of Chinese rescue teams, two temporary relocation sites, set up in local sports venues, opened on Sunday. Equipped with 160 tents, these sites will provide shelter for over 600 displaced residents.

Over the past few days, Chinese structural experts have assessed nearly 900 buildings in Mandalay to ensure safety. Besides, a third batch of Chinese humanitarian aid, including tents, family relief kits, folding beds and blankets, totaling nearly 5,000 items, arrived in Myanmar on Saturday.

A local volunteer expressed gratitude to the relief efforts and rescue operations carried out by Chinese search and rescue teams since the earthquake struck on March 28.

"They [the Chinese rescue teams] are always on standby. Whenever there's any news [on the aftermath of the earthquake], they will respond quickly. We are very grateful. Their arrival gives us hope. I want to show them our homes once they are rebuilt," she said.

The death toll from Myanmar's earthquake reached 3,564 as of Sunday evening, the Information Team of Myanmar's State Administration Council reported. In addition, 5,012 people were injured and 210 remained missing due to the earthquake.

Myanmar's Mandalay shows signs of recovery after devastating earthquake

European Union (EU) policy consultant Johann Weick has condemned U.S. tariffs as harmful to consumers, highlighting that President Donald Trump's approach is a "bullying" tactic to exploit the EU's limited options and weaken the bloc, as he urged vigilance against these tactics.

Weick made the remarks following the EU member states' decision on Wednesday to approve the bloc's first package of retaliatory measures against Trump's tariffs.

According to media outlets Euractiv and Politico, 26 of the bloc's 27 member states voted in favor during Wednesday's session, signaling overwhelming support for fighting back against Trump's tariff measures.

Weick said the initial retaliatory measures of the EU are a direct counterattack against the tariffs, and Europe will remain increasingly vigilant regarding the true intentions of the U.S. in the future.

"Trump is really bullying the European Union because he knows very well that the European union does not have much of an alternative. And they would like, I will not say crush, but they would like to see a weaker European Union and European Union better pays attention," said Weick.

He stressed that tariff decisions made by the Trump administration are unpopular within the U.S., as they are expected to lead to significant price increases, primarily affecting American consumers.

Furthermore, these policies will disrupt the world economy, and countries across the globe should maintain a firm stance in response to the situation.

"Does Donald Trump understand that if he slaps tariffs that the importers, the wholesalers, the retailers are passing the increased price because it's a tax. To the consumer It will cost and will harm the consumer in the U.S. but also around the world," said the analyst.

Some analysts also pointed out that the retaliatory measures indicated a further deepening of the rift in transatlantic relations under the pressure of U.S. tariffs.

EU analyst criticizes Trump's tariff "bullying" tactics, urges vigilance