U.S. relations with Myanmar are set to improve as the government officially engages Washington lobbyists for assistance in reconstruction.
Myanmar's interim government, formed under military leader Min Aung Hlaing, has signed a $3 million-per-year agreement with the DCI Group, a Washington lobbying firm. The contract, effective from July 31, 2025, aims to help rebuild relations between Myanmar and the United States.
The agreement, which focuses on rebuilding relations, trade, natural resources, and humanitarian relief, has not been publicly reported as directly affected or invalidated by U.S. sanctions on Myanmar's military leaders. However, concerns about potential difficulties arise from historical precedents. In 2021, U.S. sanctions on Myanmar’s generals blocked payments to lobbyists representing them, halting prior efforts.
The contract reportedly contains a clause asserting that the Myanmar Ministry of Information is not “blocked pursuant to U.S. economic sanctions,” indicating an effort to comply with or navigate sanctions restrictions. Yet, the current status of the agreement under sanctions remains unclear due to non-response from authorities.
The DCI Group, under investigation by the FBI over its alleged role in a hack-and-leak operation targeting Exxon Mobil's critics, has denied the allegations, stating that it directs all its employees and consultants to comply with the law.
Justin Peterson, a managing partner at DCI, signed the FARA filing for the contract on August 1. Min Aung Hlaing, who seized power in a 2021 coup, has shown eagerness to engage with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump after years of isolation. The general praised Trump for his "strong leadership" and expressed his readiness to send a negotiating team to Washington, if needed, while requesting lower rates and the lifting of sanctions.
In a recent development, Trump threatened new tariffs on Myanmar's US-bound exports as part of his global trade offensive, addressing Min Aung Hlaing personally in a signed letter. It remains to be seen how these trade tensions will impact the ongoing contract between DCI Group and Myanmar's Ministry of Information.
Reuters reported last year about the FBI investigation into the DCI Group, but the US Treasury Department, the DCI Group, the US State Department, and Myanmar's Washington embassy did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment regarding the potential impact of U.S. sanctions on the agreement.
An Israeli-Canadian lobbyist, who was hired to represent Myanmar in Washington and other capitals, ceased his work due to U.S. sanctions on the generals. Despite this, the DCI Group's contract with Myanmar's Ministry of Information seems to have avoided such disruptions as of August 2025.
- The DCI Group's $3 million-per-year contract with Myanmar's Ministry of Information, despite historic difficulties in navigating U.S. sanctions on Myanmar's military leaders, includes a clause asserting it is not blocked by such sanctions, raising questions about its current status under these restrictions.
- Amidst trade tensions between Myanmar and the United States, with President Donald Trump threatening new tariffs on Myanmar's exports, the ongoing business relationship between the DCI Group and Myanmar's Ministry of Information could be impacted, especially considering the FBI investigation into the DCI Group's alleged role in a hack-and-leak operation.
