Washington and its allies will keep trading diplomatic recognition and sanctions relief for access to heavy rare earths outside Chinese control, recasting relations with isolated regimes even where physical supply stays in Beijing's orbit.
forming · confidence 40 · Emerging (watchlist) · tracking since October 17, 2026 · updated October 17, 2026
The US held more secret talks with Myanmar's military government in Tokyo, focused on heavy rare earths. This continues the reversal of US isolation of the junta that began with a September visit to Naypyitaw. But the deposits lie mostly in ethnic-army territory and feed China's processing industry, so diplomatic recognition is being traded for supply that stays in Beijing's orbit.
Supporting · October 17, 2026
US holds more secret talks with Myanmar's military government in Tokyo as Washington looks at heavy rare earths
The US held more secret talks with Myanmar's military government in Tokyo, focused on heavy rare earths. This continues the reversal of US isolation of the junta that began with a September visit to Naypyitaw. But the deposits lie mostly in ethnic-army territory and feed China's processing industry, so diplomatic recognition is being traded for supply that stays in Beijing's orbit.
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