The United States aims to expand its influence in Myanmar through peace diplomacy while potentially gaining access to the country’s rare earth deposits, according to a recently published State Department strategy document.
Reuters reported last month that US officials had quietly held talks with Myanmar’s nominally civilian government, led by the former general who headed the 2021 coup that triggered a civil war.
The United Nations estimates that the conflict has killed 100,000 people and displaced more than 3.5 million.
The renewed engagement, involving Michael Vance, the State Department’s top intelligence official, marks a departure from years of US policy aimed at isolating Myanmar’s military leadership.
The discussions have included potential access to rare earth minerals, most of which are located in conflict-affected areas and currently exported to China.
The US strategy document, known as the integrated country strategy for the US mission in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, provides an unusually explicit account of how Washington hopes to establish a foothold for American companies through negotiations involving the country’s various armed groups.
These include pro-democracy groups and ethnic insurgents, some of which have fought the military for decades in pursuit of greater autonomy.
US seeks peace agreement by 2030
The strategy states that the US mission in Myanmar will work towards a ceasefire that ‘presents a pathway to a lasting peace agreement by 2030’.
The plan includes facilitating at least three multistakeholder forums to produce concrete agreements or policy proposals advancing fiscal federalism and territorial demarcation in Myanmar.
According to the document, these efforts would create opportunities to access the country’s abundant rare earth resources and combat scam centres.
However, the strategy does not specify whether Washington intends to lift sanctions or address other compliance concerns that have discouraged investment in Myanmar.
A State Department spokesperson said Washington was pursuing a policy that welcomed dialogue with all stakeholders involved in the conflict while encouraging Myanmar to make progress on key US priorities.
‘We are pursuing a policy that welcomes dialogue with all stakeholders involved in the conflict as we encourage Burma to make progress on key US priorities, including addressing scam centres, improving the domestic operating environment for US businesses, and building towards a genuine peace process that stabilises the country,’ the spokesperson said.
The document, approved on Aug 31, was published on the State Department’s website on Oct 16.
US seeks business opportunities and trade expansion
The US continues to impose financial sanctions on coup leader-turned-president Min Aung Hlaing, other members of the military-backed government and businesses linked to them.
However, Washington has long maintained that it wants to encourage legitimate and responsible business activities in Myanmar.
The Trump administration has removed several Myanmar nationals and companies from its sanctions list.
The strategy also outlines plans to increase US exports to Myanmar as part of efforts to reduce Washington’s trade deficit with the impoverished country.
To achieve this, the US embassy aims to secure at least three major commercial or investment deals worth more than US$5 million each for American companies.
The document also identifies law enforcement cooperation as a priority, particularly in combating online scam centres targeting Americans.
It further calls for expanded cooperation with Myanmar authorities to facilitate the repatriation of Myanmar nationals from the United States.
