Washington/Naypyidaw — In a notable policy shift, the U.S. government has initiated direct talks with Myanmar's military junta, departing from years of sanctions and diplomatic isolation that followed the 2021 coup, according to sources cited by Reuters on the 8th.

While the immediate catalyst centered on cracking down on online scam syndicates targeting U.S. citizens and securing the release of detained Americans, reports suggest these discussions could pave the way for broader U.S. engagement—including potential access to Myanmar’s critical rare earth resources.

According to the report, Michael Vance, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research (INR), met with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing in the capital of Naypyidaw on the 15th and 16th of last month. Marking the highest-level bilateral contact since the 2021 military coup, the meeting primarily focused on securing the release of Adam Castillo, an American businessman detained at Yangon Airport in June. Another key agenda item raised by the U.S. was the closure of cyber-scam hubs—such as romance scams originating from Myanmar—which have inflicted billions of dollars in losses on Americans. The FBI has also reportedly engaged directly with Myanmar authorities regarding cyber fraud.

The U.S. State Department stated that it engages with all groups in Myanmar on issues affecting U.S. interests, while continuously pressing for an end to violence and the release of political prisoners. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott remarked, "You cannot solve problems by looking away; you must address them directly."

Reuters also noted that the two sides discussed potential access to heavy rare earth deposits used in electric vehicles and wind turbines. The U.S. has been actively seeking supply chain diversification to reduce its heavy reliance on China for rare earths; however, Myanmar's major deposits are located in areas controlled by ethnic armed organizations fighting the military regime.

This outreach indicates a potential pivot in U.S. policy toward Myanmar, moving away from strict military isolation and toward pragmatic engagement. Following the 2021 coup, the Biden administration froze Myanmar's assets and imposed sanctions on senior military officials and military-linked enterprises. Although the U.S. Congress approved non-lethal support for anti-junta forces the following year, most of those programs were reportedly suspended during foreign aid restructuring under the Donald Trump administration.

Despite these talks, Min Aung Hlaing remains under U.S. sanctions over severe human rights abuses, including the mass killings and expulsions of the Rohingya minority.

Reuters analyzed the development as evidence of a broader foreign policy shift under the Trump administration, which places greater emphasis on transactional engagement over the promotion of democracy.

In response, Representative Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, criticized the contact with the Myanmar junta as running counter to both American values and interests. He argued that engaging with Min Aung Hlaing—while failing to implement congressionally mandated sanctions and withholding democracy assistance funds—risks conferring international legitimacy upon the military regime.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]