Relationship dossier
Myanmar
United States
Relationship assessment
Engagement during Myanmar’s reform period gave way to renewed confrontation after the 2021 military coup.
Myanmar toward United States
-20Myanmar’s reform-era government pursued renewed high-level engagement with the United States. Since the 2021 coup, Myanmar’s military authorities have rejected US sanctions and criticism of their rule, contributing to a more confrontational relationship.
United States toward Myanmar
-35The United States engaged with Myanmar during its reform period and eased sanctions as political changes advanced. Following the 2021 coup, Washington condemned the military takeover and imposed sanctions on military leaders and entities.
Overall relationship
-30The relationship has alternated between US engagement with Myanmar’s reform-era government and sustained friction over military rule, political rights, and sanctions. The 2021 coup sharply reversed the improving trajectory, bringing renewed US sanctions and Myanmar military authorities’ rejection of US pressure.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Myanmar–United States relations have shifted with Myanmar’s political changes. The reform-era government pursued high-level engagement with Washington, and the United States eased sanctions as reforms advanced. After the 2021 military coup, the United States condemned the takeover and imposed sanctions on military leaders and entities; Myanmar’s military authorities rejected US sanctions and criticism. Political change and competing approaches to sanctions and democratic governance have shaped the relationship.
Areas of tension
- US sanctions on Myanmar’s military leaders and associated entities
- The 2021 military coup and the United States’ condemnation of military rule
- Disagreements over political rights and democratic governance
Key developments
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited Myanmar amid the country’s political reform period, marking a major step in renewed high-level engagement.
The United States ended most remaining sanctions on Myanmar following political and economic reforms.
Myanmar’s military seized power in a coup, prompting US condemnation and subsequent sanctions.
Major uncertainties
- The extent of practical Myanmar–US cooperation during the reform period is unclear.
- The scope and implementation of Myanmar’s post-coup responses to US sanctions are unclear.