The European Council renewed sanctions for its terrorist list against people, groups and entities subject to asset freezes due to terrorism involvement, the council said in a Jan. 13 press release. The list is reviewed every six months and updated with “any new facts and developments,” the council said.

The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned two North Korean entities involved in illegal exploitation of North Korea labor to generate money overseas, Treasury said in a Jan. 14 press release. Treasury said the two North Korean companies -- North Korea-based Namgang Trading Corporation (NTC) and China-based Beijing Sukbakso -- evade United Nations Security Council resolutions by sending North Korean laborers abroad. All UN member states were required to expel North Korean laborers in December, the press release said. NTC “maintained” laborers in “multiple” countries, including Russia, Nigeria and throughout the Middle East. Sukbakso, a lodging facility, handles portions of the travel and logistics for NTC personnel working overseas, Treasury said.

Export Compliance Daily is providing readers with some of the top stories for Jan. 6-10 in case you missed them.

The Treasury Department’s final regulations for the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act made several changes to the proposed rules based on public comments and provided more clarity about FIRRMA’s “excepted foreign states” concept. But Treasury did not provide a more specific definition for “critical technologies” despite several requests from industry.

The Uni, Germany and France said they remain committed to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, again urged Iran to return to the deal and expressed concerned with U.S. sanctions. “We have made clear our regret and concern at the decision by the United States to withdraw from the JCPoA and to re-impose sanctions on Iran,” the countries said in a Jan. 12 joint statement. “Despite increasingly difficult circumstances, we have worked hard to preserve the agreement … it is essential that Iran return to full compliance with its commitments.”

Mexico recently renewed import restrictions on certain used motor vehicles until Dec. 31, 2020, according to a Jan. 8 report from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. Among several restrictions, certain used vehicles may not be imported if their circulation is prohibited in their country of origin, if they have been reported as stolen or if the vehicle does not comply with “physico-mechanical properties and environmental protection requirements,” the HKTDC said.

The government of Canada issued the following trade-related notices as of Jan. 13 (note that some may also be given separate headlines):

The Food and Hotel Hanoi Trade Show in November is expecting about 150 exhibitors and more than 9,000 attendees in what is projected to be the “most comprehensive trading platform in the region,” the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in a Jan. 13 emailed press release. The USDA, which is endorsing the trade show, said the show will offer opportunities for U.S. exports to North Vietnam’s “expanding food and hospitality industry.” The agency said companies can register for the trade show’s USDA Pavilion, which offers “greater visibility on the trade show floor” and “cost-effective opportunities for developing new export markets.” To register, companies can contact the USA Pavilion organizer at maiken@oakoverseas.com or at +1 704-837-1980, ext. 303.

Indonesia reduced its total permitted “daily duty free per allowance” for e-commerce imports, according to Jan. 13 report from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. The number was reduced to $3 from $75 as of Jan. 1, the report said, and is aimed at protecting domestic production for items that include clothing, footwear and bags. In addition, the items “valued above the new threshold” are liable for import duty, including anywhere from 15 percent to 25 percent for clothing, 25 percent to 30 percent for footwear, and 15 percent to 20 percent for bags, the report said. All other items will be subject to a 7.5 percent import tax, and all imports are subject to a 10 percent value-added tax rate.

China’s Foreign Ministry criticized the U.S.’s decision to impose more Iran sanctions last week, saying the measures, which affected some Chinese entities, should be reversed. Along with Iranian officials and metal companies, the U.S. sanctions targeted a Beijing-based company for buying Iranian steel and a China-based company for managing a vessel that transported the steel (see 2001100050). “We urge the U.S. to cease immediately the wrongful sanctions on Chinese businesses,” a ministry spokesman said during a Jan. 13 press conference. “We will continue to staunchly defend Chinese enterprises' legitimate rights and interests.” China said it has been dealing with Iran for a “long time” and “such cooperation, which is justified and lawful and doesn't harm any third party's interests, should be respected and protected.”