White House eases sanctions on Burma

The Obama administration announced in May that it was suspending sanctions. 

Still, he said “Burma’s political and economic reforms remain unfinished” and that there are still deep concerns about the lack of transparency in the investment environment, citing the military’s role in the economy.  

To that end, U.S. companies are being asked to report on their activities. 

He also signed a new executive order that expands the Treasury secretary’s existing sanctions authority to those who undermine the reform process, engage in human-rights abuses, contribute to ethnic conflict, or participate in military trade with North Korea.  

“This order is a clear message to Burmese government and military officials: those individuals who continue to engage in abusive, corrupt, or destabilizing behavior going forward will not reap the rewards of reform,” Obama said. 

Francisco Sánchez, under secretary for international trade at the Commerce Department, leaves for a three-day trip Cambodia and Burma on Thursday. He will participate in the first-ever U.S.-Association of Southeast Asian Nations business forum and is expected to review the next phase of the commercial relationship between the the United States and Burma.