The United States is considering further easing or lifting sanctions against Myanmar around the time of a White House visit this month by the country's new leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, U.S. officials said.
President Barack Obama is expected to decide on the extent of the sanctions relief after consultations between Suu Kyi and his administration to gauge how far she wants Washington to go in loosening the screws on Myanmar's still-powerful military.
Obama will attend a Group of 20 summit this weekend in China, followed by an East Asia summit in Laos, where Suu Kyi may also be present. She will visit Washington on Sept. 14 and 15 for meetings with Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, members of Congress and business leaders.