Myanmar's Kachin State Is At The Center Of The Sino-US Scramble For Rare Earths

Western media has recently highlighted the crucial role of Myanmar's Kachin State in the global rare earth minerals industry. Separatist groups there, particularly the Kachin Independence Army, now control about half of the world's heavy rare earth production. This has led to complex geopolitical dynamics involving China, which has a near-monopoly on rare earth processing. China has reportedly warned Kachin separatists to halt their offensive, threatening to cut imports if they do not comply. Such actions could destabilize global supply chains. In response to these developments, the US has lifted sanctions on some allies of Myanmar's ruling junta. This move suggests the US is interested in a potential deal with Myanmar's leadership. The US may be seeking influence over Kachin State's rare earth resources by facilitating a political-resource agreement. Such a deal could help keep the current generals in power and allow Myanmar to diversify its foreign relations beyond China. This strategic maneuver is part of a larger US effort to gain influence in the tech race for rare earth minerals. The US appears willing to prioritize this strategic imperative over its previous "democracy" goals in Myanmar.