Contacts between the United States and Myanmar’s military-backed authorities have highlighted a divergence in Washington and the European Union’s (EU) approaches, while Thailand expects Myanmar to be discussed at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) November summit.
Reuters reported that representatives from the United States and Myanmar met in Naypyitaw in September and again in Tokyo in October. The U.S. Department of State has acknowledged engagement but has not disclosed what was discussed. Reuters, citing people familiar with the September contact, said it focused in part on securing the release of American businessman Adam Castillo and shutting scam centers targeting Americans. Reuters reported that Castillo was released on Sept. 16. The department told Reuters that U.S. engagement aimed to achieve practical results for Americans affected by transnational crime.
Reuters also reported that U.S. officials had discussed access to Myanmar’s heavy rare-earth deposits. Many deposits are in areas controlled by ethnic armed groups fighting the military, Reuters said, and China is the main buyer of the minerals.
On April 27, 2026, the Council of the European Union extended sanctions through April 30, 2027. The measures cover 105 individuals and 22 entities and include asset freezes, travel bans, arms restrictions and limits on military-related exports and cooperation. The Council said the EU was withholding direct financial assistance to Myanmar’s government and freezing aid that could be seen as legitimizing the authorities.
In a June 2026 statement to the United Nations, the EU said Myanmar’s elections were neither free nor fair and did not legitimize the nominally civilian administration. It also reaffirmed support for ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus.
Trade ties continue. The European Commission put EU-Myanmar goods trade at about €4 billion in 2025, including roughly €3 billion in EU imports, mostly textiles and clothing. Myanmar remains eligible for the EU’s Everything But Arms scheme, which grants duty-free, quota-free access for exports other than arms and ammunition.
ASEAN leaders said in a 2025 review that Myanmar should keep non-political representation at the bloc’s summits and foreign ministers’ meetings until it makes concrete progress on the Five-Point Consensus. Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow told Reuters that Thailand welcomed U.S. engagement. “Engagement does not mean legitimizing the regime,” he said.
Sihasak told Reuters he expected Myanmar to be discussed at ASEAN’s November summit in Manila. He said it was not yet clear whether members would consider restoring Myanmar’s full representation. The humanitarian needs plan from the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said 16.2 million people would need assistance as 2026 began. An OCHA update in July estimated nearly 3.8 million people were displaced.
