NEW YORK (AP) — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Wednesday the U.S. will ease its import ban on Myanmar that had been a key plank of remaining American economic sanctions.

“In recognition of the continued progress toward reform and in response to requests from both the government and the opposition, the United States is taking the next step in normalizing our commercial relationship,” Clinton said during a meeting with President Thein Sein on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly.