Reuters exclusively disclosed on the 8th that the Trump administration in the United States has launched direct dialogue with the government supported by the Myanmar military, reversing Washington’s policy of isolating the Myanmar military government since Myanmar’s 2021 military coup. This is the highest level of contact between officials from the two countries since the coup in Myanmar. It focuses on cracking down on fraudulent parks and detained American businessmen, but it may also lead to wider exchanges, including on Myanmar's rare earth resources.
Citing seven current and former U.S. officials and other sources familiar with the policy shift, Reuters reported that Michael. Michael Vance led this wave of contacts and participated in talks with coup leader and current President Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyitaw, the capital of Myanmar, on the 15th and 16th of last month. The talks are aimed at securing the release of former American Chamber of Commerce in Myanmar President Adam Castillo, but also provide opportunities for further exchanges.
Castillo was arrested by Myanmar authorities in June, and the U.S. government has not commented on whether he was improperly detained. According to people familiar with the matter, officials from the White House, National Security Council and State Department have been conducting behind-the-scenes negotiations with Myanmar officials to seek the release of Castillo. The only exchange offered by Myanmar is "appropriate level of official contact with the U.S. government." After Castillo was released, he declined further comment other than to give credit to President Trump.
Sources pointed out that a major focus of the United States' promotion of contact with Myanmar is to ask Myanmar to help close the fraud park in the country, but U.S. officials are also discussing access to Myanmar's huge heavy rare earth resources. These mineral deposits are mainly located in areas controlled by ethnic minority armed forces fighting the military government. China, the main importer of rare earths in Myanmar, may regard any U.S. intervention as a challenge. The United States admits that it faces obstacles. However, as Washington seeks to diversify its supply chain and reduce its dependence on China, these resources in Myanmar are still a topic of repeated discussion between the two sides.
The U.S. State Department stated that the United States has contacted all parties in Myanmar on issues related to U.S. interests and demanded an end to violence and the release of political prisoners. Contact with the Myanmar military junta does not weaken relations with other groups. The United States continues to provide assistance to non-military-controlled areas, but did not specify the details of the assistance. Spokesman Tommy Pigott said in a statement, "Ignoring the problem will not solve the problem, only facing it can solve the problem."
A spokesman for Myanmar's military junta did not respond to requests for comment. Min Aung Hlaing is still subject to U.S. sanctions. UN human rights officials pointed out that less than two weeks after Van's visit, the Myanmar military airstrike a crowded market in Rakhine state, killing more than 50 people.
