Abstract

• This article analyses Myanmar-US relations before and after 2015 election. After the military government's suppression on the 1988 democracy uprising, Myanmar-US relations were strained for over two decades. This situation gives China better opportunities to expand her political and economic linkages over Myanmar. In the meanwhile, at the regional circumstance, China's growing influence in Asia made greater concern for US to reconsider its role and security interests in the region. In 2009, with President Obama's 'Pivot to Asia" policy and with the success of Myanmar's democratic transition under the civilian government, Washington reconsider and reviewed its foreign policy towards Myanmar. Under such situation, bilateral relations gradually improved and finally tended to normalized relations. After 2015 election, NLD led by Daw Aung San Su Kyi become a democratically elected civilian government. Therefore, it can be assumed that NLD government will focus on the closer relations with US. However, Daw Aung San Su Kyi as a new Foreign Minister paid the first official state visit to China instead of US. This research will explain why did Myanmar pay first state visit to China? How would it make impact on Myanmar-US relations? What are the effects of US new President Trump's foreign policies on Myanmar and future of Myanmar- US relations? What will be the challenges in improving Myanmar-US relations?