Washington (Reuters): The Trump administration has opened direct talks with Myanmar’s military-installed government, reversing years of US efforts to isolate the country’s generals after the 2021 coup.
US officials and others familiar with the outreach said the talks could lead to wider engagement. The initial focus includes shutting down scam centers that target Americans. Officials have also discussed access to Myanmar’s large deposits of heavy rare-earth minerals.
High-Level Contact
US Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research Michael Vance played a leading role in the new outreach. He met coup leader-turned-president Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyitaw on September 15-16.
The meeting marked the highest-level US contact with Myanmar’s military government since the coup. Officials said the talks also sought the release of American businessman Adam Castillo.
The engagement signals a broader shift in Trump administration policy. Washington appears to be placing greater emphasis on direct, transactional diplomacy rather than democracy promotion.
Vance’s role is notable because intelligence chiefs do not normally lead foreign policy. Experts have warned that political pressure on intelligence officials can affect the independence of their assessments.
Military Leader Still Under Sanctions
Min Aung Hlaing remains under US sanctions over human rights abuses. Washington has accused Myanmar’s military of mass killings and expulsions of Rohingya Muslims during the 2016-2017 campaign. The United States has described those actions as genocide.
The outreach also comes after a deadly military airstrike in Rakhine state. UN human rights officials said the September attack on a crowded marketplace killed more than 50 people and wounded many others.
The State Department said it engages with all groups in Myanmar when US interests require it. Spokesperson Tommy Pigott also said Washington continues to press for an end to violence and the release of political prisoners.
Scam Centers Drive Talks
A major US priority is the closure of scam hubs operating inside Myanmar. These networks run romance and other online fraud schemes that have cost Americans billions of dollars.
Two people familiar with the discussions said the FBI has established direct contact with Myanmar authorities over cyber scams.
However, enforcement could prove difficult. Researchers say many scam operations operate in areas controlled by ethnic militias. Some proceeds may also flow to the military.
Rare Earths Add Strategic Interest
US officials have also discussed Myanmar’s heavy rare-earth deposits. These minerals are important for electric vehicles, wind turbines and other technologies.
The deposits mainly lie in territory controlled by ethnic armed groups fighting the military government. China remains the main importer, creating another challenge for Washington.
The United States wants to diversify supply chains and reduce dependence on China. Myanmar’s mineral resources could therefore give the new engagement a wider strategic purpose.
From Isolation to Engagement
After the 2021 coup, the Biden administration froze Myanmar-linked assets and imposed sanctions on military leaders and businesses. Congress also authorized non-lethal support for opposition groups.
Many of those programs were later cut during Trump’s foreign-aid overhaul.
The new approach has drawn criticism from US lawmakers. Representative Gregory Meeks said engaging Min Aung Hlaing while reducing democracy support could give the military government greater international legitimacy.
Myanmar’s military-backed government is also seeking broader international recognition. The latest US contacts could mark a significant change in Washington’s policy toward the country.
