Indium Corp., which the Bureau of Industry and Security earlier this week penalized for violating export controls against Russia (see 2412230052), has since “enhanced” its internal compliance program and improved its compliance training for employees, CEO Ross Berntson said in an emailed statement. Berntson also noted that Indium voluntarily disclosed the issue to BIS and “fully cooperated with the resulting investigation.”
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Ben Cardin, D-Md., House Foreign Affairs Committee ranking member Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., and four other lawmakers asked the Government Accountability Office in a Dec. 18 letter to study whether U.S. agencies need additional sanctions authorities to go after illegal mining or other foreign environmental crimes committed by transnational criminal organizations (TCOs). The letter says that illegal mining of metals and minerals is booming in the Western Hemisphere and is harming the environment while enriching TCOs. Sens. Bill Cassidy, R-La., and Tim Kaine, D-Va., and Reps. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, and Maria Salazar, R-Fla., also signed the letter.
The Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. has told U.S. Steel that it was unable to reach a consensus on the proposed acquisition of the American steelmaker by Japan’s Nippon Steel, prompting it to refer the matter to President Joe Biden to make a decision, U.S. Steel said in a statement late Dec. 23.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control this week issued another reminder for users of its website to fill out a survey (see 2410110053) that will give OFAC feedback on how it can streamline the site’s navigation and improve its “sanctions guidance, resource accessibility, and user experience.” The survey closes Dec. 30.
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U.S. quantum technology companies and industry groups urged the Bureau of Industry and Security to maintain the set of deemed export control exclusions outlined in its September rule on certain advanced technologies (see 2409050028), saying that without them the American quantum industry could lose top talent and cede technological leadership to other countries.
Members of the European Parliament passed three sanctions-related resolutions last week calling on the bloc and other countries to increase restrictions on human rights violators and countries aiding Russia.
After a panel report found Mexico's plans to replace GMO corn over time in industrial food and animal feed -- and its ban on genetically modified white corn -- violate its USMCA commitments, the Mexican government said it will honor the result.
The State Department last week approved two possible military sales to Taiwan, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said. The first sale includes $30 million worth of “MK 75 76 mm Gun Mounts” and related equipment, which will come from U.S. stock. The second sale includes $265 million worth of “Command, Control, Communications, and Computers Modernization and related equipment,” the principal contractors for which haven’t yet been chosen.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will gain six new Republican members in January, incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., announced Dec. 20.