China criticized new guidance from the Bureau of Industry and Security this week that said using Huawei Ascend chips likely violates export controls (see 2505130018), saying the announcement is another example of U.S. “unilateral bullying.”

The U.K. plans to impose swifter and more “robust” penalties on sanctions violators as part of an effort to better deter companies and others from breaching trade and financial restrictions, the country said this week.

Chris Pratt, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be assistant secretary of state for political-military affairs, said May 15 that the Trump administration has directed him to address the delays and other complaints that are frequently made about the U.S. defense export process, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).

Josh Hodges, former national security adviser to House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Chris Slevin, chief of staff to Biden administration Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, have been appointed to the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission.

The Council of the European Union on May 13 reached an agreement that it said would improve the collection of value-added taxes "by making suppliers liable for the VAT paid on imports." The change will "likely" encourage foreign traders or platforms to use the "VAT import one-stop-shop," which is the EU's point of contact for importers of goods from third countries into the EU.

The EU has agreed to a 17th package of sanctions against Russia, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said May 14 on social media. The package includes more restrictions on Russian access to "battlefield technology" and the designations of 189 so-called shadow fleet vessels helping Russia move energy exports, she said. "This war has to end," von der Leyen said. "We will keep the pressure high on the Kremlin." The EU didn't immediately release more information about the measures, which are expected to be formally released in the coming days.

The Trump administration said this week that it secured billions of dollars' worth of purchase commitments from Qatar, including a deal for sales of Boeing aircraft and defense systems from other U.S. aerospace and weapons companies.

Washington state punches above its weight in goods exports, and exported $57.8 billion worth of goods in 2024, including $40.7 billion in manufactured products. Some 45% of those manufactured exports are Boeing planes and aerospace parts.

Sens. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., and Chris Coons, D-Del., introduced a bill May 13 aimed at speeding up arms shipments to Taiwan to help the country defend itself against China.

Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., announced May 14 that he has reintroduced a bill that would bar federally funded private companies, as well as U.S. government agencies and federally funded universities, from conducting research with Chinese military-linked entities on such sensitive technologies as AI, semiconductors, biotechnology, quantum computing and aerospace. The Preventing PLA Acquisition of U.S. Technology Act would also require the Defense Department to maintain a public list of restricted Chinese entities and technologies. Then-Rep. Banks and then-Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., previously reintroduced the bill in the last Congress.