Myanmar’s appointment of a close confidant of US President Donald Trump to rebuild ties with Washington could offer the regime a sliver of hope to rebrand itself, even as a breakthrough on major issues, such as American investment in the country’s critical minerals sector, is likely to be limited.
Naypyidaw’s Ministry of Information has hired veteran American political lobbyist Roger Stone to boost relations with the Trump administration, according to filings under the US Foreign Agents Registration Act in April.
Stone is said to draw US$50,000 monthly as a consultant for the Washington-based lobbying firm DCI Group, which signed a US$3 million contract with Myanmar in July last year.
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The deal is aimed at normalising ties with Washington after the junta’s 2021 coup against Myanmar’s elected government, and at US American policy on the Southeast Asian nation’s economy, natural resources and humanitarian relief.
A long-time Republican operative, Stone has a four-decade relationship with Trump and has played a key role as adviser, confidant and strategist to the US president throughout his career.
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Hunter Marston, director for Southeast Asia at the Lowy Institute in Sydney, said it was unclear if Myanmar authorities solicited Stone personally or whether DCI hired him with knowledge of his strong rapport with Trump.