Biden announces sanctions on Myanmar coup leaders

US President Joe Biden has announced sanctions on the military leaders who directed the coup in Myanmar.  On 1st February_ the administration labeled the military takeover and detention of Aung San Suu Kyi a coup_ triggering a freeze in certain U.S. assistance to the country and a review of some aid programs. Support for health care_ civil society groups and other aid that benefit the Burmese people directly will continue.

On Wednesday Biden said_ "I've approved a new executive order ... enabling us to immediately sanction the military leaders who directed the coup_ their business interests_ as well as close family members."

"We will identify a first round of targets this week_ and we're also going to impose strong export controls. We're freezing U.S. assets that benefit the Burmese government_ while maintaining our support for health care_ civil society groups and other areas that benefit the people of Burma directly." He added.

"The military must relinquish power they've seized and demonstrate respect for the will of the people of Burma_ as expressed in their November 8 election_" he said_ stressing that the issue remains of bipartisan and international concern.

"And finally_ as protests grow_ violence against those asserting their democratic rights is unacceptable and we're going to keep calling it out. The people of Burma are making their voices heard and the world is watching. We'll be ready to impose additional measures and we'll continue to work with our international partners to urge other nations to join us in these efforts_" US president concluded.

The Biden administration honed its stance hours after Chinese state media dismissed the takeover as "a major cabinet reshuffle_" rolling out euphemisms to avoid calling it a coup. Mr. Biden has made it clear the U.S. was "taking note" of who was standing up for Myanmar's people.

While Biden and his administration stressed that sanctions will only target Myanmar's military leaders_ concern remains that such measures could impact the lives of innocent people. The wide-reaching sanctions the US imposed against the military junta that ruled Myanmar in the 1990s and 2000s proved to have a devastating effect on the country's economy_ and some analysts argue the measures impacted the lives of ordinary citizens more than the military.

Sanctions also could complicate efforts with US allies and partners that have invested in Myanmar in recent years_ like Japan. Nissan has a production facility in Myanmar_ while Japanese investment bank Daiwa Securities and the Tokyo Stock Exchange were tapped to help build the country's first stock exchange. Kirin had a six-year-old joint venture with a Burmese holding company_ but the brewing giant said it would end that project because of its partner's links to the military.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi spoke by phone Wednesday. the State Department said_ Blinken and Motegi have discussed various ways to strengthen cooperation with allies and partners to address the military coup in Myanmar .