US links Myanmar peace talks to rare-earth access

· Politics · United States · Myanmar

The United States is linking engagement on Myanmar peace talks to access to rare earths, marking a departure from years of US policy aimed at isolating the military junta. The re-engagement reflects growing competition for critical minerals used in electronics, magnets and defence, as Washington seeks alternatives to Chinese supply. Myanmar is a significant source of heavy rare earths, and the shift raises questions about how far the US will go in dealing with the military government to secure them.

Why it matters：It shows critical-minerals competition pushing governments to reconsider isolation policies, with implications for Myanmar's junta and global supply chains.

Key points

  • The US is tying peace-talk engagement to rare-earth access.
  • It marks a departure from a policy of isolating the military.
  • Myanmar is a significant source of heavy rare earths.

Sources (original reporting)

More stories from this day