The U.S. government should dramatically increase the number of Cuban officials who are sanctioned under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., said Dec. 11.
The Bureau of Industry and Security has completed a round of interagency review for a final rule that would make certain changes to U.S. export controls based on recent decisions made at the multilateral Australia Group. BIS sent the rule to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs Nov. 22 (see 2411250004), and the review was completed Dec. 12.
New guidance published by the EU last week outlines steps people and companies should take to make sure their dual-use goods and technology aren’t being sent to Russia, including red flags they should be monitoring as part of their compliance programs. It also offers insight into how the European Commission interprets violations of the bloc’s anti-circumvention laws, with a specific focus on minimum due diligence expectations for businesses and banks.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control fined C.H. Robinson, one of the world’s largest logistics firms, more than $250,000 after OFAC said its non-U.S. subsidiaries violated sanctions against Iran and Cuba. The five subsidiaries allegedly provided freight brokerage or transportation services for 82 shipments to or from Iran or involving Iranian or Cuban goods, while one of the companies also did business with sanctioned Iranian airline Mahan Air.
The U.S. warned World Trade Organization members this week against adjudicating national security matters, saying in a communication that they should instead bring a "non-violation claim" that would allow for the rebalancing of trade concessions and avoid "dragging" members into debates over political issues.
Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., and Rep. Summer Lee, D-Pa., introduced a bill Dec. 10 that would codify President Joe Biden’s February executive order allowing the U.S. to sanction those who undermine peace, security and stability in the West Bank (see 2402010053).
The House Republican steering committee selected Rep. French Hill, R-Ark., Dec. 12 to become chairman of the House Financial Services Committee in January. Hill will replace Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., who is retiring from the House. The committee has played a key role in negotiations over legislation to restrict U.S. outbound investment in China.
In one of his last moves as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, retiring Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., introduced a wide-ranging China bill Dec. 11 that contains several sanctions, foreign investment and trade provisions.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas, and House Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar, R-Mich., both said Dec. 12 that lawmakers continue to seek a compromise on legislation to restrict U.S. outbound investment in China.
The Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to list the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, according to a notice. Comments on the proposed rulemaking, which includes a 4(d) rule that would require a permit for import and export, are due by March 12.