France, Germany and the United Kingdom said they remain committed to the Iran nuclear deal but said they are concerned by Iran’s “numerous, serious violations” of its nuclear commitments. In a Nov. 18 statement, the three countries said they are “extremely concerned by Iran’s actions, which are hollowing out the core nonproliferation benefits of the deal.” But they said they still plan to honor the deal and have taken “additional efforts to allow Iran to pursue legitimate trade,” including through the use of INSTEX (see 2002280029).
The European Council on Nov. 13 published the proposed regulations for its new export control regime covering dual-use technologies (see 2011100021). The regulations include procedures for information sharing between member states on export controls, licensing procedures, general definitions, enforcement methods and more.
The European Union is preparing another round of Belarus sanctions and considering more severe trade restrictions in response to the country’s unfair elections earlier this year, said Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign policy chief. Borrell said “many” member states have asked for more sanctions, adding that the EU may designate companies in addition to government officials (see 2010050010).
China revised certain “data items” in declarations of cargo being imported or exported by water or air, according to an unofficial translation of a Nov. 20 notice from the country’s customs authority. The notice, which takes effect Dec. 1, provides instructions on formatting the declaration for customs and what should be included in the declaration. China previously announced new electronic declaration procedures for air and water transport in September (see 2009160022).
The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs on Nov. 19 concluded a review of a State Department rule that would amend International Traffic in Arms Regulations requirements for certain countries. The final rule would modify the ITAR for Tunisia, Eritrea, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Cote d'Ivoire, Sri Lanka and Vietnam, as well as “other changes.” OIRA received the rule Oct. 28 (see 2010300007). The agency mentioned the rule in past regulatory agendas (see 2007200005 and 1911250035).
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said he has no substantive regrets about the policies his office has spearheaded that have raised tariffs on products from around the world. He said the next USTR will also have to prioritize American manufacturers over inexpensive imports, and treat China as a threat. “Those things are going to endure and people will continue to make progress on them,” he said during an evening webinar Nov. 19.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU and the U.S. should work together to set rules on carbon pricing, 5G, 6G, artificial intelligence, intellectual property rights and forced technology transfer so that others don't make the rules, and they have to live with them. At the Council on Foreign Relations webinar Nov. 20, von der Leyen said managing 5G isn't just about security of hardware or software, “it is also about our values and our democracies.” She said the Trans-Atlantic Partnership should address “the illiberal use of these technologies by China and others.”
The United Kingdom’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation corrected an entry under its Mali sanctions regime, it said in a Nov. 19 notice. The change corrects and updates identifying information for the entry for Houka Houka Ag Alhousseini.
The Federal Maritime Commission will begin investigating whether ocean carriers are violating regulations on detention and demurrage fees, container returns and container availability for U.S. exports, the agency said Nov. 20. The investigation, which will be led by FMC Commissioner Rebecca Dye, will look at ocean carriers operating in alliances at the Port of Long Beach, the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of New York and New Jersey to determine if their unfair fees and container practices are “amplifying the negative effect of bottlenecks” at the ports.
U.S. sanctions under the Trump administration have at times been imposed recklessly, which could permanently alienate allies and lead to less effective sanctions programs, according to a November Atlantic Council report. But the trend can be corrected under the incoming Joe Biden administration, the report said, which should be more patient with its sanctions use, provide a clear “endgame” and strategy for its sanctions programs, and work closer with allies to pressure dangerous actors.