US, Myanmar hold secret talks in Tokyo

The United States held talks with representatives of Myanmar’s military-backed government in Tokyo last week, the second meeting between the two sides in a month. Washington is renewing engagement with Myanmar after largely avoiding ties with its junta since the 2021 military coup.

Three people familiar with the matter confirmed the meeting but said the agenda was not immediately known. More than a dozen US officials attended, led by Michael Vance, assistant secretary for intelligence and research at the State Department. Myanmar’s representatives could not be identified.

In September, Vance met Myanmar’s leader, Min Aung Hlaing, in Naypyidaw to discuss releasing an American businessman and shutting down scam centres targeting US citizens.

Scam centres and rare earths

Washington is seeking Myanmar’s cooperation to close scam centres linked to billions of dollars in losses for American citizens. However, many centres operate in areas controlled by armed groups, raising doubts about the authorities’ commitment to tackling them.

The US is also interested in Myanmar’s heavy rare earth deposits, which are used in electric vehicles and wind turbines. Most deposits lie in areas controlled by ethnic armed groups, while China remains the main buyer.

Washington recently lifted sanctions on the daughter of a businessman accused of supporting Myanmar’s military, citing its revised policy towards the country. However, Min Aung Hlaing remains under US sanctions over human rights violations.