U.S. may slap sanctions on Myanmar military

U.S. lawmakers proposed sanctions on Friday against Myanmar’s military, in some of the strongest efforts yet by Washington to pressure the southeast Asian nation to end abusive treatment of its Rohingya Muslim minority.

House Republicans and Democrats introduced legislation that would curtail assistance or cooperation with Myanmar’s military and require the White House to identify senior military officials who would have U.S. visa bans imposed or reimposed against them.

A bipartisan group in the Senate, including Senate Armed Services Committee chairman John McCain, introduced their Bill on Thursday.

It calls for renewal of import and trade restrictions on Myanmar, including re-imposing a ban on jade and rubies from the country also known as Burma.

“Our legislation would hold accountable the senior military officials responsible for the slaughter and displacement of innocent men, women and children in Burma, and make clear that the United States will not stand for these atrocities,” Mr. McCain said in a statement.

The tough proposals came as U.S. President Donald Trump departed for an extended trip to Asia.