Reuters reported that Assistant Secretary of State Michael Vance met Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyitaw on September 15-16, the highest-level US contact since the 2021 coup, focused on scam centers and a detained American.
The Trump administration has begun direct talks with Myanmar's military-installed government, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing US officials and others familiar with the outreach. Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research Michael Vance met coup leader Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyitaw on September 15-16. Reuters said that was the highest-level US contact since the 2021 coup.
The meeting was aimed at securing the release of American businessman Adam Castillo and opened further contact, four people told Reuters. Castillo, a former head of the American Chamber of Commerce in Myanmar, was detained at Yangon airport on June 11. He declined to comment beyond crediting President Donald Trump for his release. The US government has not said whether he was wrongfully detained.
Officials described the focus as shutting scam centers that target Americans, with possible later talks on Myanmar's heavy rare-earth deposits. Those deposits mostly sit in territory held by ethnic armies, and China is the main importer, people familiar with the talks said. The State Department said it engages all groups in Myanmar and raises the need to stop violence and free political prisoners. Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said problems are not solved by ignoring them.
Min Aung Hlaing remains under US sanctions. Reuters noted that less than two weeks after Vance's visit, the military struck a crowded marketplace in Rakhine state, killing more than 50 people, according to UN human rights officials. Representative Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told Reuters the shift was contrary to US values and interests.
A military-backed government spokesperson did not respond to Reuters. No sanctions relief was announced with the report.
People Sentiments Mixed
- Tommy Pigott said problems are not solved by ignoring them.
- Gregory Meeks said engaging Min Aung Hlaing while failing to implement mandated sanctions cedes US leadership.
- Adam Castillo credited President Trump for his release.