Acts of Defiance II: US companies break sanctions to import teak from Myanmar

Myanmar is one of the world’s biggest producers of high-quality natural teak, prized for its water-resistant properties and highly prized for decking and fixtures on the superyachts of the wealthy.

But teak imports into America are prohibited by US sanctions imposed in response to the violent military coup in Myanmar.

In this updated and expanded version of our December 2022 report Acts of Defiance, we name 12 major American timber firms which have nevertheless been importing teak from Myanmar since the start of the 2021 coup.