The Bureau of Industry and Security removed certain license restrictions for Sudan (see 2012080003) to reflect the U.S. decision to rescind Sudan’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism (see 2012170015). The final rule, effective Jan. 14, will amend the Export Administration Regulations by removing anti-terrorism controls on exports to Sudan and by removing Sudan from Country Group E:1, which makes the country eligible for a 25% de minimis level, BIS said. Sudan also was added to Country Group B and will be eligible for several new license exceptions.
Jenner & Block hired Rachel Alpert, previously with Latham & Watkins, as a partner, the firm said in a news release. Alpert also previously worked in the State Department Office of the Legal Adviser. Her work “supports organizations in the oil and gas, communications, travel, and other industries on legal issues involving export controls and US sanctions laws and regulations under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Export Administration Regulations (EAR), and Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) regulations,” Jenner & Block said.
China criticized trade restrictions announced by the United Kingdom and Canada this week, which included export controls, import restrictions and other penalties for involvement with forced labor practices in Xinjiang. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson dismissed the allegations and urged both countries to reverse the measures. “Is there the slightest seriousness in their foreign policies?” the spokesperson said Jan. 13, according to a transcript of a regular news conference provided by the ministry. The comment was made in response to a question from a Reuters reporter, according to the transcript. “The U.K. and Canada should immediately revoke their erroneous decision, stop meddling in China's internal affairs and harming China's interests.”
The Bureau of Industry and Security is seeking comments, due March 15, on an information collection related to a request for appointment of a technical advisory committee, it said in a Jan. 14 notice. The collection describes the functions and responsibilities of the Commerce Department TACs. “The TACs advise the government on proposed revisions to export control lists, licensing procedures, assessments of the foreign availability of controlled products, and export control regulations.” the notice says.
The U.S. charged three Iranian nationals for illegal smuggling activities, including a scheme to illegally export U.S. goods to Iran, the Justice Department said Jan. 12. The three people -- Arash Yousefi Jam, Amin Yousefi Jam and Abdollah Momeni Roustani -- were charged with violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned three people and 16 entities controlled by Iran’s supreme leader, OFAC said Jan. 13. The entities allow Iran’s “elite to sustain a corrupt system of ownership over large parts of Iran’s economy,” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement. The sanctions target Iran’s Execution of Imam Khomeini’s Order (EIKO), Astan Quds Razavi (AQR) and their subsidiaries, including companies in the energy, engineering and drilling sectors. Also sanctioned are EIKO leader Mohammad Mokhber, AQR leader Ahmad Marvi and Abd al-Aziz Malluh Mirjirash al-Muhammadawi, who has ties to the Islamic State group.
Germany-based Deutsche Bank will pay more than $130 million to settle its violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and separate investigation into a commodities fraud scheme, the Justice Department said Jan. 8. The violations stem from a scheme to hide bribes, which included internal accounting control violations, and another scheme involving “fraudulent and manipulative commodities trading practices” in publicly traded precious metals futures.
The White House launched a National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Office to help ensure U.S. leadership in AI technology, it said in a news release Jan. 12. The office will oversee the national AI strategy and act as the “central hub” for AI research and federal policymaking across government agencies, including engagement with industry and academia. In October, the White House issued a national strategy on critical and emerging technologies to better synchronize agency policy efforts, including for AI technologies (see 2010150038). The new AI office within the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy comes as the Commerce Department works on export controls for AI and a range of emerging technologies (see 2101050018 and 2009170026).
The European Union said it is concerned about Iran’s continued action to engage in uranium enrichment to up to 20% but is hopeful that U.S. President-elect Joe Biden will help mend the nuclear deal. Although the latest move, which the International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed last week, continues to violate the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the EU did not say it would impose sanctions for the breach, adding that it has “continued to work hard to preserve” the agreement despite U.S. sanctions. “We acknowledge the issues arising from the unilateral withdrawal of the United States from the agreement and the re-imposition of its sanctions,” the European Council said Jan. 11. “The EU has upheld its JCPoA commitments, including regarding sanctions lifting as foreseen in the Agreement.” The council said it welcomes Biden’s “positive statements” on the JCPOA and looks “forward to working with the incoming US-Administration.”
The State Department sanctioned five al-Qaida leaders and added them to the Treasury Department’s Specially Designated Nationals List, the agency said Jan. 12. The sanctions target Iran-based Muhammad Abbatay and Sultan Yusuf Hasan al-'Arif. Also sanctioned were the leaders of the al-Qaida Kurdish Battalions, an al-Qaida-linked group that operates on the Iran-Iraq border: Isma’il Fu’ad Rasul Ahmed, Fuad Ahmad Nuri Ali al-Shakhan and Niamat Hama Rahim Hama Sharif.