In February, the fourth U.S.-Mongolia bilateral Economic Policy Dialogue convened in Washington, D.C. The bilateral assembly centered on increasing Mongolia-U.S. commerce and funding in three key areas: crucial minerals, clear power, and digital financial system.
The two nations established a strategic partnership in 2019, however since then their financial actions have been disrupted by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. More concerningly for Ulaanbaatar, the lower in total international direct funding (FDI) was a major indication that Mongolia must diversify funding alternatives with all “third neighbors,” together with the United States.
Between 2021 and 2022, Mongolia and the United States each appointed new ambassadors. During the bilateral Economic Policy Dialogue, Mongolian Ambassador to the U.S. Batbayar Ulziidelger and U.S. Ambassador to Mongolia Richard Buangan exchanged views and shared concepts on cooperation. Both sides acknowledged the significance of advancing financial ties and emphasizing a robust Mongolia-U.S. strategic partnership.
At the identical time, given the gap and logistical challenges, the United States will not be among the many high locations for Mongolia’s mineral export. However, there was growing curiosity in U.S. funding in Mongolia’s crucial mineral sector. The latest financial settlement between Ulaanbaatar and Seoul highlights these financial instructions as nicely.
The begin of Rio Tinto’s $7 billion underground mega-plant in Oyu Tolgoi actually initiatives a rise within the mining sector’s contribution to the nationwide financial system of Mongolia. With the profitable begin of the Oyu Tolgoi mega-mine, there may be potential for mining crucial minerals similar to copper, tin, and molybdenum. The profitable renegotiation of the deal between the federal government of Mongolia and Rio Tinto additionally marks an enchancment for Mongolia’s dispute decision course of, which is essential in attracting FDI.
The second space wherein Mongolia and the United States are set to cooperate is the event of fresh power. Renewable power is an rising market in Mongolia, however the institution and implementation of such initiatives can assist to unravel main public well being points similar to air air pollution.
Investments in clear power will naturally diversify renewable power undertaking sorts. While Mongolia can undertake clear power options from China and India – which have related air air pollution and public well being points – Ulaanbaatar may also make the most of its third-neighbor relations to amass superior data and instruments from companions just like the United States. If applied effectively, clear and renewable power is usually a game-changer for a rustic like Mongolia with a sparse inhabitants.
While the Economic Policy Dialogue is important in advancing financial ties between Mongolia and the United States, there are shortcomings on each side.
In 2018, one yr previous to establishing their strategic partnership, the United States Congress initiated the Mongolia Third Neighbor Trade Act to spice up bilateral commerce, significantly within the export of textiles, cashmere, and uncooked supplies to the United States. One of the vital incentives for Ulaanbaatar to spice up Mongolia-U.S. relations to a strategic degree was the financial benefit it might glean. However, 5 years later, there isn’t a signal of motion. The Third Neighbor Trade Act has not moved since 2018, when it was referred to the House Subcommittee on Trade.
Moreover, since 2018, the commerce stability between Mongolia and the United States has not been in favor of Mongolia. According to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, “the U.S. goods trade surplus with Mongolia was $106 million in 2020, a 36.9 percent decrease ($62 million) over 2019. U.S. goods imports from Mongolia totaled $12 million in 2020, down 52.8 percent ($13 million) from 2019.”
The Third Neighbor Trade Act was supposed to handle this commerce imbalance by offering duty-free entry to the U.S. marketplace for some primary Mongolian exports. With the invoice stalled out, the issue stays unaddressed.
At the identical time, Mongolia must strengthen its funding atmosphere. The 2022 US Investment Climate Statement make clear the areas of enchancment similar to dispute decision, unpredictable tax and regulatory burden, and different key judicial and courtroom processes that will have an effect on the move of funding into Mongolia.
Despite these challenges regarding each side, Mongolia and the United States proceed to develop different areas of cooperation. In January, the 2 governments signed a Memorandum of Consultations (MOC) for the profitable negotiation of an Air Transport Agreement, which has the potential of building a nonstop direct flight between Mongolia and the United States.
Advancing financial ties with the United States is essential for Mongolia’s third-neighbor international coverage, which seeks to cut back Mongolia’s dependence on its two border nations: China and Russia. While Mongolia’s outreach to “third neighbors” incorporates political, social, protection, and cultural ties and engagements, financial actions – similar to commerce offers and the beginning of improvement initiatives – are all the time on the high of Ulaanbaatar’s agenda.
From a macroeconomic standpoint, Mongolia’s escape from a mining-dependent financial system will not be life like. Hence, funding from its third neighbors, significantly, from strategic companions, just like the United States, will possible proceed to take priority. The diversification of funding and beginning completely different improvement initiatives which can be power environment friendly are good strikes that may not solely strengthen Mongolia’s funding profile but additionally have a sustainable and tangible final result.
Source web site: thediplomat.com
