The Bureau of Industry and Security extended its comment period for an information collection related to a request for appointment of a technical advisory committee, it said in a notice released April 23. The collection describes the functions and responsibilities of the Commerce Department TACs, which help advise the government on proposed revisions to export controls, licensing procedures and more. The comments, originally due March 15 (see 2101130013), are now due 30 days after the notice is posted on the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs website.
The United Kingdom’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation last week published a blog post on its licensing process. The post provides guidance on best practices when submitting a license, which licenses OSFI prioritizes, how the agency’s procedures and licenses have changed under the U.K.’s newly implemented sanctions regimes, and several “top tips” for license applicants.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control on April 23 removed more than 40 entries from its Specially Designated Nationals List. The entries all had Mexican addresses and were sanctioned under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act. Treasury didn’t immediately provide more information on the delistings.
The United Kingdom's Export Control Joint Unit and Department for International Trade on April 22 updated its guidance on standard individual export licenses (SIELs) to aid exporters trading in applicable goods. The new sections include information on when an exporter can use a SIEL, what the company will need to complete an application, how long it takes to get a license, exporter responsibilities, customs declarations, compliance and legal obligations.
The European Commission is preparing legal proceedings against British vaccine developer AstraZeneca for cutting COVID-19 vaccine deliveries to the European Union, Reuters reported April 22. The cut in vaccine deliveries prompted major delays in the bloc's vaccine rollout and the imposition of an export control regime on vaccines. Two diplomats told Reuters that the legal challenge was discussed April 21 at a meeting with EU officials, and most states present indicated support for the proceedings. However, no decision has yet been made, a commission spokesperson told a news conference.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee passed a bill that would require President Joe Biden to determine whether certain companies are eligible for sanctions for helping to build the Nord Stream 2 pipeline (see 2104160022). The Ukraine Security Partnership Act, approved April 21, names Nord Stream 2 AG and 19 other companies, all of which could be designated under the Protecting Europe’s Energy Security Act. Sen. Cruz, R-Texas, introduced the provision as an amendment to the act. The measure will remove “any hope” from the companies that they can avoid accountability for working on the Russian gas project,” Cruz said in a statement. He also directed a tweet to companies involved in Nord Stream 2: "the United States knows who you are, and if you don't get out immediately you will be sanctioned.” The bill, which would also authorize Ukraine to receive “expedited excess defense article transfers” and calls for more U.S. support in the region, will now head to the Senate floor.
Clete Willems, a former Donald Trump administration trade staffer, told the Senate Finance Committee that technology sales to China help pay for research and development here, so as Congress considers how to bolster the semiconductor industry, it should also be sure not to put export controls on goods that are not sensitive.
The U.S. has made “some progress” in its discussions to return to the Iran nuclear deal but expects a lengthy process involving multiple rounds of talks with European partners, a State Department Official told reporters this week. After speaking with the United Nations Security Council, the official said, the U.S. and Iran both have a “better idea” of what they need to do to fully rejoin the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. But “clarification doesn’t necessarily mean consensus,” the official said April 21. “There still are disagreements” and “the distance that remains to be traveled is greater than the distance that we’ve traveled so far.”
The Commerce Department is open to establishing a national export strategy to help increase foreign market access for U.S. manufacturers, farmers, carmakers and other industries, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said. Commerce, she said, has noticed a trend of “declining exports,” particularly for smaller companies, and wants to provide more support for U.S. exporters alongside efforts to boost domestic manufacturing in semiconductors and other critical goods (see 2103110047).
The Comprehensive Agreement on Investment between China and the European Union will not pass the European Parliament in its current form, predicted former EU trade minister Cecelia Malmstrom at a Peterson Institute for International Economics event on April 21. Due to dueling sanctions over human rights violations in China's Xinjiang province and the agreement's lack of substance on key areas such as sustainable development, Malmstrom opined that, without alterations and a breakthrough on sanctions, the agreement would not pass.