The Trump administration has been holding secret talks with Myanmar's military-backed government, the same regime the United States previously accused of genocide. Senior US officials have travelled to Naypyidaw and Tokyo for discussions with coup leader-turned-president Min Aung Hlaing.
Five years ago, Washington imposed sanctions on Myanmar's military leadership and downgraded diplomatic ties after the 2021 coup. This year, the administration's goals include countering China's influence in the region and potentially gaining access to Myanmar's 'bountiful rare earth resources,' according to a US State Department document.
The diplomatic opening followed the detention of American businessman Adam Castillo at Yangon airport in June, who was held for three months on financial allegations he denied. Hunter Marston, director of the Lowy Institute's Southeast Asia Program, said the detention provided a pretext for Washington to establish direct contact with the military leadership. "I think that played right into the hands of the Myanmar regime, but I think it also served as a useful pretext for Washington to engage in discreet talks with the military," he said. Since Castillo's release in September, meetings have continued, including in Tokyo in October.
Human rights advocates have raised concerns. "It's pretty shocking and almost illogical that the US would engage in secret talks with a sham president elected by a sham election," said Debbie Stothard, chair of the International Network for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. "The military junta views engagement at this level as something that's encouraging and positive for them."
Myanmar has emerged as a major source of rare earth minerals, with more than 600 mines, much of its output exported to China. Dr Marston noted that China controls about 90 per cent of global rare earth production, making it difficult for the US to circumvent Chinese dominance. The Trump administration is seeking to diversify critical mineral supply chains as competition with Beijing intensifies.
For Min Aung Hlaing, the renewed US engagement represents a significant diplomatic breakthrough, the article reports. Myanmar hired a US lobbying firm in 2025, and Trump ally Roger Stone was listed as a consultant for the firm. Documents say he provided public affairs services aimed at rebuilding relations with Washington.
The secret talks come as conflict inside Myanmar continues, with an estimated 100,000 killed and millions displaced since the coup. In September, weeks after US officials held talks in Naypyidaw, a military air strike on a marketplace in Rakhine State killed more than 50 people, according to local reports. Advocates warn that any consideration of easing sanctions risks weakening international pressure on the junta.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- US engagement with a regime accused of genocide risks undermining international human rights norms and could be seen as legitimising the junta.
- The pursuit of rare earths highlights the strategic importance of critical minerals in the US-China competition, with implications for technology and defense.
- The talks could affect regional stability and the unity of ASEAN, which has been divided over Myanmar's exclusion.
Background
Myanmar's military overthrew the elected government in February 2021, leading to US sanctions and a downgrade of diplomatic ties. The regime has been accused of war crimes and genocide, particularly against the Rohingya minority. In 2025, the junta hired US lobbyists to improve its standing in Washington. The Trump administration, focused on countering China and securing critical minerals, has now engaged in secret talks with the military government.
Key Perspectives
Debbie Stothard (chair of the International Network for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights): The secret talks are shocking and legitimise the junta, which is bad for civilians and regional security.
Hunter Marston (director of the Lowy Institute's Southeast Asia Program): The detention of Adam Castillo served as a useful pretext for both sides, and the rare earth motivation is significant, but China's control over processing makes it difficult for the US to bypass.
What to Watch
- The upcoming ASEAN summit in Manila next week: whether the US will push for Myanmar's inclusion or adjust its stance.
- Potential easing of US sanctions in exchange for access to Myanmar's rare earths.
- Continued conflict and human rights situation in Myanmar, which could be impacted by the US engagement.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe US is holding secret talks with a Myanmar regime it accused of genocide.Latest business news: “The US has been holding secretive talks with a regime it accused of genocide.”
- SupportedA State Department document says US diplomatic goals include countering China’s influence and potentially gaining access to Myanmar’s rare earth resources.Latest business news: “The goals of the diplomacy include countering China's influence in the region and potentially gaining access to Myanmar's "bountiful rare earth resources", according to a US State Department document .”
- SupportedSenior US officials travelled to Naypyidaw and Tokyo for talks with Min Aung Hlaing.Latest business news: “This year, however, senior Trump administration officials have travelled to Tokyo and Myanmar's capital, Naypyidaw, for talks with coup leader-turned-president Min Aung Hlaing.”
- SupportedAdam Castillo was detained at Yangon airport in June for three months over financial allegations he denied.Latest business news: “Adam Castillo, 40, a former head of the American Chamber of Commerce in Myanmar, was detained for three months after being accused of financial impropriety, allegations he denied.”
- SupportedHunter Marston said Castillo’s detention provided a pretext for Washington to engage in discreet talks with the military.Latest business news: “I think that played right into the hands of the Myanmar regime, but I think it also served as a useful pretext for Washington to engage in discreet talks with the military.”
- SupportedMarston said, “I think that played right into the hands of the Myanmar regime, but I think it also served as a useful pretext for Washington to engage in discreet talks with the military.”Latest business news: “I think that played right into the hands of the Myanmar regime, but I think it also served as a useful pretext for Washington to engage in discreet talks with the military.”
- SupportedMeetings continued after Castillo’s release in September, including a meeting in Tokyo in October.Latest business news: “Since his release in September, meetings between senior US officials, led by Michael Vance, the Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research, and Myanmar's military-backed government have continued. The latest took place in Tokyo in October.”
- SupportedDebbie Stothard said it was “pretty shocking and almost illogical” for the US to engage with a “sham president elected by a sham election.”Latest business news: “"It's pretty shocking and almost illogical that the US would engage in secret talks with a sham president elected by a sham election," said Debbie Stothard, chair of the International Network for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.”
- SupportedMyanmar has more than 600 rare earth mines.Latest business news: “Myanmar has emerged as a major source of supply, with more than 600 rare earth mines, according to the Stimson Center.”
- SupportedMarston said China controls about 90 per cent of global rare earth production.Latest business news: “It controls something like 90 per cent of the world's global rare earth production.”
- SupportedThe conflict since the coup has killed an estimated 100,000 people.Latest business news: “Since the coup, fighting between the military, pro-democracy resistance groups and ethnic armed organisations has killed an estimated 100,000 people and displaced millions more.”
- SupportedIn September, weeks after US officials held talks in Naypyidaw, a military air strike on a marketplace in Rakhine State killed more than 50 people, according to local reports.Latest business news: “In September, weeks after US officials held talks with Myanmar's leadership in Naypyidaw, the military launched an air strike on a crowded marketplace in Rakhine State, killing more than 50 people, according to local reports.”
