The Cambodian-Vietnam border temporarily closed March 20 as both countries seek to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, according to a March 19 report from CustomsNews, the mouthpiece for Vietnam Customs. The closure blocks all air, water and land travel between the two countries in an attempt to “avert the inconvenience of quarantine” requirements, the notice said, but does not apply to Vietnamese and Cambodian holders of “diplomatic and official passports.” Cambodia has suggested the two countries work together “so transport of goods across the common border can be carried out without disruption.”
The Commerce Department Bureau of Industry and Security is operating normally and will continue to process export license applications amid the global response to curbing the COVID-19 pandemic, a BIS spokesperson said. “Operations are not impacted,” the spokesperson said. In notices to industry, the Census Bureau said it will continue responding to industry but requested electronic submissions for disclosures (see 2003180029), while the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls said some licensing processing may face delays (see 2003190017).
The Commerce Department is postponing its Asia Enhancing Development and Growth through Energy (EDGE) Business Development Mission, from March to September, due to the measures taken to curb the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, the agency said in a notice in the March 20 Federal Register. The mission, originally scheduled for March 16-24 and now set for Sept. 14-22, will feature stops in Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand in a bid to increase U.S. energy diversification and trade in Asia. Commerce will accept applications for the mission through June 30; it plans to choose 20 firms and trade associations.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative scheduled a hearing for businesses to testify about their priorities for negotiations for a U.S.-Kenya free trade agreement. USTR notified Congress March 17 of its intent to enter into negotiations with Kenya (see 2003170061). The deadline to submit written comments and to notify of an intent to testify is April 15. The public hearing will be April 28 in Washington. The office recommended giving feedback on barriers to trade; costs or benefits to reducing tariffs in the U.S. on Kenyan imports; customs and facilitation issues, including those related to pre-shipment inspection; and whatever else companies think needs to be addressed.
The United Kingdom’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation amended an entry under its sanctions for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to a March 20 notice. OFSI amended identifying information for Ignace Murwanashyaka, who is still subject to an asset freeze, the notice said.
The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control extended the expiration dates for two Ukraine-related general licenses that authorize certain transactions with U.S.-sanctioned GAZ Group, OFAC said in a March 20 notice. General License No. 13N authorizes certain transactions necessary to divestments and debt transfers. General License No. 15H authorizes certain transactions related to the maintenance or wind down of operations of existing contracts, and activities related to certain automotive safety and environmental systems in vehicles produced by GAZ Group.
European governments are skeptical about the use of U.S. export controls to restrict transfers of sensitive technologies even as the U.S. ramps up attempts to convince them to adopt similar measures, according to a March 18 report from the Mercator Institute for China Studies. As the U.S. has taken an increasingly aggressive approach to restricting emerging technology sales to China, Europe increasingly sees export controls as a “blunt instrument” for tackling technology risks, the report said, viewing them instead as a U.S.-driven effort to contain China's rise.
The European Union will allow exports of protective medical equipment to additional countries and territories less than a week after announcing it was restricting exports to countries outside the EU (see 2003160047). Export authorizations will be exempt for shipments to Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, the Vatican, Andorra, the Faroe Islands, San Marino and territories that have “special relations” with Denmark, France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, the EU said in a March 20 guidance. The EU released further guidance detailing the amendment, a “guideline” for the changes and an annex containing templates for export authorization applications and member state notifications. The change took effect March 21.
Japan asked the World Trade Organization to establish a dispute settlement panel on the matter of India’s increased tariffs on information and communication technology goods, according to an unofficial translation of a March 19 notice. The announcement came after Japan said it was unable to reach a resolution with India after requesting WTO consultations last year (see 1905100020). Japan said India’s tariffs violate the WTO’s General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and place unfair tariffs on a range of mobile phones, “digital microwave communications” devices and more. The WTO dispute settlement body, which has been inactive after President Donald Trump blocked appointees last year (see 1912090031), is expected to remain inactive beyond 2020 (see 2003060035). A group of WTO members announced in January plans for an interim appeals process (see 2001240027).
The European Commission published a draft legal text for a future agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom, detailing a range of trade issues including rules of origin, sanitary issues, technical barriers, customs facilitation and more, the commission said in a March 18 notice. Although negotiations scheduled in London this week were canceled due to the coronavirus response measures, both sides are “exploring alternative ways to continue discussions,” including video conferences, the commission said. It added that “substantive work on the legal texts” will continue in the coming weeks.