YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Myanmar could get broad duty-free access to the U.S. market by year’s end as the United States tries to deepen trade and military ties with the former military dictatorship.

Acting U.S. Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis said Friday that the U.S. could waive import duties on thousands of goods from Myanmar, including agricultural products, handicrafts, and some garments, by the end of this year under a program designed to help poor countries.