# Trump meets Myanmar leader after sanctions shift

> Trump administration meets Myanmar's military leader for first time in years, signaling policy shift.
- Title: Trump meets Myanmar leader after sanctions shift · BBC News
- Summary: Trump administration meets Myanmar's military leader for first time in years, signaling policy shift. US officials met Myanmar's leader Min Aung Hlaing for…
- Keywords: donald trump, myanmar, min aung hlaing, us sanctions, military regime, trade policy, rare earths, news, world, Trump, meets, leader
- Source: BBC News — https://bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cw203zx1x1rno
- Published: 2026-10-20T23:21:39.605+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: donald trump, myanmar, min aung hlaing, us sanctions, military regime, trade policy, rare earths, news, world
## US meets Myanmar leader
US Assistant Secretary of State Michael Vance met Myanmar's military leader Min Aung Hlaing for the first time in years.
## Sanctions list changes
US removed some business figures from sanctions list after meeting Myanmar leader.
## 2021 coup aftermath
Myanmar's military ousted democratically-elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021 coup.
## Adam Castillo's role
Adam Castillo, a former US marine and Trump supporter, pushed for US-Myanmar engagement.
## Trump's tariff impact
Trump imposed 40% tariffs on Myanmar's economy during tariff war in July 2023.
## Min Aung Hlaing's response
Min Aung Hlaing praised Trump's letter with flattery and mimicry of US president's language.
## DCI contract signed
Myanmar signed $3m contract with DCI, a Washington lobbying firm.
## Roger Stone hired
Myanmar hired Roger Stone, Trump's controversial lobbyist, for $50,000 a month.
## Myanmar election
Myanmar held much-criticised general election in December and January 2024.
## US policy shift
US stopped condemning Myanmar's election, unlike most Western governments.
## Rare earths in Myanmar
Myanmar has large rare earth reserves but they are contested by ethnic insurgent armies.
## Scam industry challenges
US struggles to combat Myanmar's scam industry with military-backed militia groups.
## US-Myanmar relations
US has less changed than headlines suggest in Myanmar policy despite new contacts.
## Key takeaway

US officials met Myanmar's leader Min Aung Hlaing for the first time in years, ending isolation policies and seeking sanctions relief.