The Commerce Department amended its direct product rule, increasing restrictions on foreign-made chips exported to, and made by, Huawei and its affiliates, the agency said in a May 15 interim final rule. Commerce also said it does not expect to issue another temporary general license extension for the Chinese technology company after its latest 90-day renewal expires Aug. 13.
Two members of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs introduced legislation that urges the Trump administration to sanction Russian government officials responsible for human rights abuses. Reps. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., and Michael McCaul, R-Tex., said the bill aims to penalize the Russian government for imprisoning journalists, political opposition leaders and religious freedom activists, according to a May 11 press release. The bill asks the administration to impose sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights accountability Act or “other applicable” authorities.
The Drug Enforcement Administration is proposing to list para-methoxymethamphetamine (PMMA), a drug similar to methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) that is also sold as “ecstasy,” as a schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act. “If finalized, this action would impose the regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal sanctions applicable to schedule I controlled substances on persons who handle (manufacture, distribute, reverse distribute, import, export, engage in research, conduct instructional activities or chemical analysis with, or possess), or propose to handle PMMA,” DEA said. Comments are due June 15.
The State Department added Cuba to a list of countries that do not cooperate with U.S. counterterrorism efforts and the Arms Export Control Act, adding that it will block sales or licenses involving exports of defense goods to Cuba, the agency said May 13. This year marked the first time the U.S. recognized Cuba as not cooperating with the AECA since 2015, the agency said. Others on the list include Iran, North Korea, Syria and Venezuela.
The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security is allowing more time for comments on an information collection relating to technology letters of explanation, according to a notice. The letters provide assurance to BIS and requires the “consignee” to certify that an export involving controlled technical data will not be released to blocked countries. BIS first requested comments for the collection in February (see 2002050019).
The Treasury Department, the State Department and the Coast Guard issued a May 14 guidance on illegal shipping and sanctions evasion practices by Iran, North Korea and Syria. The guidance aims to help traders in the maritime industry -- including the energy and metal sectors -- avoid doing business with customers trying to avoid U.S. sanctions. The 35-page guidance updates previous shipping advisories, including a guidance on illegal North Korean ship-to-ship transfers (see 1903210052).
The Commerce Department announced increased restrictions on foreign-made chips exported to, and made by, Huawei and its affiliates, and said it does not expect to issue another temporary general license extension for the Chinese technology company after its latest 90-day renewal expires Aug. 13.
The European Commission on May 11 published guidance on delivering humanitarian goods to Syria despite European Union sanctions. The guidance will be the first in a “series” of “comprehensive” frequently asked questions provided to industry on exporting aid to sanctioned countries, the commission said in a May 12 notice. The guidance clarifies responsibilities of exporters and should help “speed up the channeling of equipment and assistance” to Syria. “Sanctions should not stand in the way nor impede the delivery of essential equipment and supplies necessary in the global fight against the coronavirus pandemic,” European Commission Vice President Josep Borrell said in a statement. “We need to ensure timely assistance and avoid negative consequences for the populations of conflict affected areas, who already are bearing a heavy burden.”
Hong Kong’s Trade and Industry Department issued a May 12 notice to traders about the U.S. Commerce Department’s upcoming elimination of license exceptions for civil end-users (see 2004270026), which will affect exports, reexports and transfers of U.S.-origin goods from Hong Kong. Hong Kong informed industry that exports usually allowed under the license exception will now require a U.S. authorization, adding that it will specifically impact shipments of electronics, computers and telecommunications products. Although the U.S. exemption will be eliminated, Hong Kong will make “no change” to its “import and export licensing control on strategic commodities,” the country said. Traders exporting or importing U.S. goods no longer covered by the exemption “are advised to liaise and check with their U.S. exporters/manufacturers, particularly to obtain the necessary and applicable US export authorisation,” the notice said.
The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control updated 490 North Korea-related entries on its Specially Designated Nationals List, according to a May 13 notice. The update stems from the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, which modified the North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act to block foreign subsidiaries of U.S. financial institutions “from knowingly engaging in transactions with” SDNs “that have been designated under North Korea-related authorities,” OFAC said. OFAC introduced a “descriptive text” to “clarify to the private sector what SDNs have this prohibition” and added the descriptive text to the SDN entries.