China reportedly has developed a supercomputer that gives it an advantage in quantum computing, an emerging technology category that the U.S. has sought to prevent China from dominating. The computer can perform certain computations 100 trillion times faster than the world’s fastest existing supercomputer, giving China a “quantum computational advantage,” or “quantum supremacy,” Xinhua, China's state-run news agency, reported Dec. 4. Chinese researchers also said the computer can perform certain processes 10 billion times faster than the quantum computer developed by Google. The Bureau of Industry and Security is considering export controls on certain technology related to quantum computers, with those restrictions in their final rule stage as of July (see 2007140027). A BIS spokesperson said the agency continues to “evaluate and identify technologies that warrant control.”

Although Thailand is one of more than a dozen countries that will benefit from reduced tariffs under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the deal will have only a “marginal” impact on U.S. agricultural exports to that nation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service said in a Dec. 2 report. USDA said most of Thailand’s “major” commodity imports from the U.S., such as wheat and raw cotton, will be minimally affected. The RCEP eliminated duties among member states for imports of “distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS),” but U.S. exports of DDGS will be unaffected because most RCEP members are net importers of DDGS, the USDA said. U.S. fish exporters are also unlikely to be affected because “the products that will see the immediate elimination of tariffs [under RCEP] already have a low tariff rate” of 5% for imports from the U.S., the report said.

The Defense Department on Dec. 3 released another list of Chinese companies with ties to the country’s military, including Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation, China’s top chipmaker (see 2011300038). The other companies are China Construction Technology Co. Ltd., China International Engineering Consulting Corp. and China National Offshore Oil Corp. The Defense Department said it designated the companies to “highlight and counter” China’s military-civil fusion efforts, adding that China’s government uses what appear to be civilian entities to acquire advanced technologies. DOD released two similar lists earlier this year (see 2008300001 and 2006250024) and said it will continue to update the lists.

The U.S. affiliate of one of the world’s largest energy trading firms will pay more than $150 million in fines after it violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the Justice Department said Dec. 3. The company, Vitol Inc., paid millions of dollars in bribes to Brazilian officials and conspired to bribe officials in Ecuador and Mexico, the Justice Department said. The schemes involved fake consulting agreements, shell companies and more than $8 million in bribes.

Former House Speaker John Boehner, an Ohio Republican, and a former Democratic congressman both say that trying to return to the Trans-Pacific Partnership can't happen in the medium term. Boehner and former Rep. Joe Crowley of New York were speaking on a Meridian International Center online program Dec. 4. Boehner said that “without Trade Promotion Authority, the administration's hands will be tied” on joining the TPP. He said it would be “a pretty tall ask” to get TPA renewed in 2021. “I think there will be engagement” on trade with Asian countries other than China, he said, adding: “I think it will be pretty small.” Crowley agreed, saying that although the incoming Joe Biden administration seems inclined to multilateral trade approaches, “TPP, it's a big, big, big step. I don't see that happening in the first two years.”

The Environmental Protection Agency released a final rule Dec. 4 setting new significant new use rules (SNURs) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for six chemical substances subject to premanufacture notices (PMNs). As a result of the SNURs, persons planning to manufacture, import or process any of the chemical substances for an activity designated as a significant new use by this rule are required to notify EPA at least 90 days in advance. Importers of chemicals subject to these SNURs will need to certify their compliance with the SNUR requirements, and exporters of these chemical substances will now become subject to export notification requirements. The final rule takes effect Feb. 5. The SNURs cover the following chemical substances:

The Census Bureau received a mixed bag of feedback as it considers whether to eliminate certain filing requirements for exports to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (see 2009160033). Many of the U.S. industry groups that submitted comments, released by Census Dec. 2, said the Automated Export System filings are a burden for their members and their elimination is long overdue. But government officials from both the U.S. and Puerto Rico cautioned Census about removing the requirements, saying it could lead to an absence of a vital source of data collection and damage the islands’ economies.

Pakistan will continue through June 30, 2021, duty exemptions on imported items used to treat COVID-19, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council reported Dec. 1. The exemptions cover 61 items, including coronavirus tests, surgical masks, face shields, gloves, certain ventilators, ultrasound machines, intensive care beds and defibrillators, the report said. The exemptions are retroactive to Oct. 1 and extend some exemptions first adopted in March.

The United Kingdom on Dec. 1 published its report on the country’s “strategic export controls work” during 2019, detailing export licensing data, relevant legislation, industry outreach activities, enforcement information and case studies. The annual report is normally published by summer but was delayed this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.K. said.

China removed inspection requirements for certain medical supply exports listed under 14 commodity numbers, a Dec. 3 notice said, according to an unofficial translation. The inspection requirements will no longer apply to certain thermometers, surgical gloves and glasses, certain bandages and “medical disinfectant.” China stressed that the inspections will still apply to certain items classified as “dangerous chemicals.”