Mongolia foreign policy

For Mongolia – a small democracy navigating life between two resurgent authoritarian powers – Trump’s worldview poses a silent but serious challenge.

Since Mongolia’s democratization in the 1990s, USAID has been a major supporter of the country's development. With USAID's future in doubt, Ulaanbaatar is watching closely.

Mongolian leadership has adopted a more strategic approach to foreign policy, while public opinion has increasingly favored Russia and China as Mongolia’s most reliable partners. 

Mongolia has a significant opportunity to contribute to the regional and global energy transition by supplying key commodities.

Concern has gripped policymakers in Uzbekistan and Mongolia over how to balance Russia, China, and the West amid rising tension over Ukraine and an unstable Afghanistan.

Mongolia hopes to push forward cooperation, even among rival nations, on regional and global priority issues.

“Mongolia has centuries of experience of navigating great power competition. I think there is a lot to learn from Mongolia.”

As the two countries celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties, Mongolia in particular is hoping to jumpstart trade and investment.

The new trilateral security consultation could be linked to the Power of Siberia 2 natural gas pipeline that will pass through Mongolia, as well as prepping for a trilateral summit in Beijing in October.

The country's government wants to see the annual dialogue become the region’s most prominent confidence-building mechanism.

Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai discusses his government’s plans for fighting corruption, attracting investment, and navigating a worrisome security environment.

Mongolia has no alternative but to keep healthy relations with its neighbors, but that fact does not negate Ulaanbaatar's commitment to democracy or its “third neighbor” policy.