The U.S. extended by one year national emergencies authorizing sanctions against Iran and Burundi, the White House said Nov. 12. U.S. relations with Iran “have not yet normalized,” so the national emergency will continue in effect through Nov. 14, 2021, it said. Although Burundi has shown progress toward a “peaceful transfer of power,” the U.S. has “not seen sufficient evidence that the situation is resolved,” the White House said, continuing the national emergency through Nov. 22, 2021.
The United Kingdom’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation amended 16 entries under its Venezuela sanctions regime, a Nov. 13 notice said. The notice updates identifying information for military and government officials under the Nicolas Maduro regime.
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 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.”
When the Joe Biden administration takes office, it will likely continue the Commerce Department's emphasis on export controls and entity listings to stay ahead in technology competition with China, said Eric Sayers, an Asia-Pacific policy expert with the Center for a New American Security. Although both tools have been heavily used by the Trump administration, Biden might do more to convince allies to also impose those restrictions, especially as the U.S. fights to maintain commercial leadership in the semiconductor sector, Sayers said.