WASHINGTON — The United States has lifted sanctions on several Myanmar junta allies just two weeks after the country’s military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, praised former President Donald Trump and appealed for reduced tariffs in a letter.

The U.S. Treasury Department removed KT Services & Logistics, MCM Group, Suntac Technologies, and four associated individuals from its sanctions list. These entities were originally blacklisted in 2022 and 2024 for links to Myanmar’s military and defense sector following the 2021 coup.

Though no official explanation was given for the move, the decision followed a letter from Min Aung Hlaing commending Trump’s leadership and proposing lower tariffs on Myanmar exports — from 40% down to 10–20% — in exchange for reducing import duties on American goods. He also expressed willingness to send negotiators to Washington.

Myanmar is a key source of rare earth minerals essential for defense and tech industries — a resource of strategic interest to the U.S. amid competition with China, which dominates global processing.

Most of Myanmar’s rare earth mining occurs in rebel-held Kachin areas, with materials often sent to China for refinement.