The United Kingdom issued four penalties against companies for violating U.K. money-laundering regulations this year, including the largest-ever fine issued by the country’s revenue and customs agency, a Jan. 7 news release said. The fines include a record $32 million-equivalent penalty against MT Global Ltd Money Service Business, a money-transfer company, the U.K. said. The other penalties include a fine worth about $9,000 against Robert Holmes & Co., a fine worth about $7,000 against Landmark Sales and Lettings Ltd Estate Agency Business and a fine worth about $3,300 against Company Address Services Ltd Trust or Company Service Provider. The penalties stem from due diligence and risk assessment “failures” relating to money-laundering violations. The U.K. also published a list of 13 companies with suspended or canceled business registrations due to violations.
The United Kingdom amended several entries under its Syria, Russia and chemical weapons sanctions regimes, Jan. 8 notices said. The revisions include changes to Kamal Cheikha’s entry under Syria and the entry of Russia’s State Unitary Enterprise of the City of Sevastopol (Sevastopol Sea Port). The other revisions amend seven entries designated for chemical weapons reasons: Andrei Veniaminovich Yarin, Sergei Vladilenovich Kiriyenko, Sergei Ivanovich Menyailo, Aleksandr Vasilievich Bortnikov, Pavel Anatolievich Popov, Aleksei Yurievich Krivoruchko and the State Scientific Research Institute for Organic Chemistry and Technology.
The State Department criticized the arrests of more than 50 pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong last week, saying the U.S. could levy more sanctions on Chinese officials. “The United States will consider sanctions and other restrictions on any and all individuals and entities involved in executing this assault on the Hong Kong people, explore restrictions against the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in the United States, and take additional immediate actions against officials who have undermined Hong Kong’s democratic processes,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Jan. 6. The European Union also criticized the arrests but did not threaten more sanctions. It said Jan. 7 the arrests “are the latest indication that the National Security Law is being used by the Hong Kong and mainland authorities to stifle political pluralism in Hong Kong.”
The Office of Foreign Assets Control on Jan. 8 updated its list of Chinese military companies and sanctioned an Iraqi official for human rights abuses. OFAC designated Falih al-Fayyadh, a former national security adviser who serves as the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Committee chairman. OFAC said al-Fayyadh headed the PMC when its “subcomponents” fired live ammunition at peaceful protesters in 2019.
The United Kingdom’s Export Control Joint Unit on Jan. 8 updated its legislation and licensing guidance to consolidate all notices for exporters that affect the end of the U.K.’s transition period after its break with the European Union. The documents include guidance on exporting dual-use items, firearms, civil nuclear material and military items.
The U.S. needs to boost its manufacturing capabilities, invest in innovation and improve its ability to export goods around the world, the President-elect Joe Biden’s two top Commerce Department nominees said. The nominees, Gina Raimondo as Commerce secretary and Don Graves as Commerce deputy secretary, were announced Jan. 8 by Biden, who urged the Senate to swiftly confirm their nominations.
China temporarily suspended poultry imports from France due to an “avian influenza” outbreak in that country, a Jan. 5 notice said, according to an unofficial translation. All illegal imports of poultry or poultry products from France will be returned or destroyed, China said.
China’s General Administration of Customs issued a notice Jan. 5 detailing a “zero tariff” policy on vehicles and “yachts” operating in the Hainan Free Trade Port, pursuant to the port construction master plan, according to an unofficial translation. The notice details a range of exemptions for tariffs related to transport vehicles at the port.
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer called others to join him in condemning of the Jan. 6 violence at the Capitol. Lighthizer, in a signed tweet Jan. 6, said: “All patriotic Americans should condemn the violence we saw at our Capitol today. This is inconsistent with our democracy and our most cherished values.”
The Commerce Department extended a public comment period to receive feedback on an information collection related to U.S. foreign direct investment, the agency said in a Jan. 8 notice. The collection includes a quarterly survey on FDI that asks industry for information on “transactions and positions” between foreign-owned U.S. businesses and their “affiliated foreign groups.” The survey feedback is used to “derive universe estimates of direct investment transactions, positions, and income in non-benchmark years,” which helps the U.S. measure “the size and economic significance of foreign direct investment.” Commerce previously asked for feedback in October and allowed for a 60-day comment period, but now is extending the period for 30 days following publication of the notice.