President Joe Biden on Jan. 8 amended the scope of a 2021 executive order that authorizes certain sanctions against people and entities threatening the sovereignty of the Western Balkans or that are engaging in corruption in the region. The order includes new language that authorizes sanctions against any “leader, official, or member of an entity, including a government entity, that has engaged in, or attempted to engage in” the sanctionable activities outlined in the order. It also authorizes sanctions against the spouses or adult children of people sanctioned under the order.
The Biden administration has revised its policy guidance for missile technology exports to streamline defense trade with close allies while renewing its commitment to global nonproliferation efforts, the White House said Jan. 7.
The Bureau of Industry and Security has completed a round of interagency review for a new interim final rule that’s expected to place new export controls on advanced AI-related chips. The rule, “Export Control Framework for Artificial Intelligence Diffusion,” was sent for interagency review Dec. 9 and the review was completed Jan. 7. The upcoming restrictions have received criticism from at least one major technology company and two industry groups for being overbroad (see 2501060015 and 2501080034).
CBP issued a proposed rule this week that could mandate the submission of more detailed electronic export manifest (EEM) data for cargo leaving the U.S. by rail, identify which parties should be submitting that electronic information, and set timelines for how soon that information would need to be submitted before the cargo leaves the country.
The Bureau of Industry and Security's upcoming export controls on advanced AI-related semiconductors will introduce expansive compliance hurdles and sales limitations that will hurt American firms and could push U.S. allies to work closer with China, a major technology think tank and a leading semiconductor industry group said this week.
Hal Brands, a Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies professor and a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, was appointed to the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, the commission announced Jan. 7. The term ends Dec. 31, 2026. Brands was chosen by former Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell.
India and Madagascar recently launched new safeguard investigations, the nations told the World Trade Organization's Committee on Safeguards. India opened a proceeding on non-alloy and alloy steel flat products. Madagascar opened an investigation on tomato products. India said interested parties had 15 days from Dec. 19 to make their views heard. Madagascar gave parties until Jan. 21 to make themselves known.
China’s Foreign Ministry this week objected to the U.S. Defense Department’s recent update to the list of companies with ties to the Chinese military, calling the list “discriminatory.” The Pentagon announced it had added China-based Tencent, owner of the messaging app WeChat, and CATL, a Chinese battery maker, in a notice released this week (see 2501060024).
The State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls said its Response Team and Help Desk will be closed Jan. 9 along with the rest of the federal government in observance of the national day of mourning for President Jimmy Carter. They will reopen at 8 a.m. on Jan. 10, DDTC said. “Due to the closure and depending on volume of inquires received, responses to support requests and processing of classified provisos for delivery may be delayed,” it said.
Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., introduced a bill Jan. 3 to terminate Pakistan’s designation as a major non-NATO ally. The measure was referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee. A foreign country designated as a major non-NATO ally can receive certain benefits in defense trade and security cooperation.