Western Union has not been able to find a workaround to new Treasury Department restrictions on Cuba (see 2010280027) and said it will soon not be able to process money transfers to the island, the company told customers Nov. 13. The company said it has “been working around the clock to explore every possible option to keep our services open between the U.S. and Cuba” but “we have not been able to find a solution in this limited timeframe.” The remittance restrictions, announced by Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control earlier this year (see 2009230029 and 2010230024), will take effect Nov. 27.
More than 20 industry groups urged the Bureau of Industry and Security to be cautious as it considers controls over foundational technologies (see 2008260045), saying the wrong approach could stifle innovation, damage U.S. competitiveness and lead to costly shifts in global supply chains. The groups said any new controls should only be imposed after a calculated process with significant input from industry, and should include license exceptions and exclusions.
Arena Solutions and Trade Compliance Group will partner to help regulated manufacturers understand export control laws, the companies said in a Nov. 10 news release. Arena Solutions provides product development services for the high tech, consumer electronics and medical device industries. “Many companies are either unaware or ill-prepared to meet [International Traffic in Arms Regulations] and [Export Administration Regulations],” Arena Solutions CEO Craig Livingston said. “Our platform provides a secure way to manage product development and management across the full lifecycle, and we are excited to have TCG provide import and export compliance consulting to our customers.”
Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) has “deep regret” about the Trump administration’s imposition of national security export restrictions on China’s largest chipmaker (see 2009280022), Chairman Zhou Zixue said on a Q3 investor call Nov. 11. Though the restrictions “will have an impact on SMIC in the near term, we believe it’s manageable,” he said. “We will continue to follow up on this matter and further evaluate the impact. The company will maintain close cooperation with suppliers and customers and continue to maintain active communication with the relevant department of the United States government working to resolve possible differences.”
The Trade Advisory Group, a consulting arm of A.N. Deringer, hired Elizabeth Merritt as senior trade adviser, the company said in a Nov. 11 news release. Merritt previously was managing director for cargo at Airlines for America.
The United Kingdom’s trade preference scheme for developing countries will continue after it leaves the European Union Jan. 1, 2021, the U.K.’s Department for International Trade said Nov. 10. The Generalised Scheme of Preferences, which provides preferential tariffs for developing countries, will cover any “eligible” countries that do not have their existing trade deals with the U.K. transitioned into a new agreement after Brexit, the agency said. U.K. Trade Secretary Liz Truss said the country is “making sure that the world’s poorest countries can continue to take advantage of the opportunities that free trade offers them by allowing them to export their products to the UK at preferential rates.”
China suspended timber imports from the Australian state of Victoria after finding “pests” in the products, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Nov. 12. The move, which took effect Nov. 11, followed an Oct. 31 decision to ban timber imports from Australia’s Queensland state, also due to pests, the spokesperson said. The spokesperson called the decisions “normal bio-security precautions, which are science-based and reasonable and in line with relevant Chinese laws and regulations and international practices.”
The U.S. threatened sanctions against China and several other countries voiced concern after Beijing removed four pro-democracy legislators from Hong Kong’s parliament this week. U.S. National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien Nov. 11 said the forced removals provided more evidence that Beijing is seeking to quash dissent in Hong Kong. He said the U.S. will continue to punish China under the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act and the Hong Kong Autonomy Act (see 2008110046 and 2006040038). The U.S. will look to “identify and sanction those responsible for extinguishing Hong Kong’s freedom,” O’Brien said.
A Taiwan resident and two companies were charged with participating in a conspiracy to violate U.S. export laws and sanctions against Iran, the Justice Department said Nov. 10. Chin Hua Huang was a sales agent for Taiwan business DES International Co. and Brunei company Soltech Industry Co., and all three conspired to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations, Justice said. They were also sanctioned by the Treasury Department earlier this week (see 2011100025).
The European Union sanctions against Venezuela were renewed for one year, until Nov. 14, 2021, a Nov. 12 press release said. The measures include an embargo on arms and equipment “for internal repression,” and a travel ban and asset freezes on 36 people in official positions “who are responsible for human rights violations.”