The EU removed Russia as a permitted destination for dual-use general exports, revoking the general export authorizations for Russia, in a May 3 move from the European Commission. The authorizations were set up under the EU's dual-use export control regime in May 2021. "In light of Russia’s illegal attack on Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence and the respective threats to the Union’s essential security interests, the Union decided to impose further restrictions on exports of dual-use goods and technology and on the provision of related services," the commission said. The regulation restricts trade of dual-use goods on navigation goods and technologies, goods and services for Russia's energy industry, excluding nuclear and the downstream energy transport sector, and a host of advanced technologies.
The U.K. added 63 entries, including 31 individuals, to its Russia sanctions regime as part of the wave of sanctions on Russia following its military assault on Ukraine, the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation announced. The newly listed individuals include media executives, members of the Federal Council of Russia and leading businesspeople. The May 4 notice also amends the entries for Rossiya Segodnya and TV-Novosti, two major Russian media organizations, to add internet services sanctions.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control issued Russia-related general licenses 7A, 26A, 31 and 32 on May 5. The licenses allow emergency overflight and landings of U.S. aircraft in Russia and the filing and prosecution of infringement of various intellectual property protection, as well as the wind-down of transactions with Amsterdam Trade Bank NV and Sberbank subsidiaries through 12:01 a.m. EDT July 12. OFAC also published one new frequently asked question on Afghanistan-related sanctions and updated one FAQ on Ukraine-/Russia-related sanctions.
The EU rolled out its sixth package of sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine that includes an import ban on all Russian oil, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced in a May 4 speech. She said, according to her written remarks prepared for delivery, that the sanctions package also includes designations of high-ranking military officers including those who committed "war crimes" in Bucha and "the inhuman siege" of Mariupol; the removal of Sberbank and two other leading Russian banks from SWIFT, the interbank messaging and payment system; a ban on three Russian state-owned broadcasting companies; and an export ban on accountancy, consultancy and "spin doctor" services.
The U.S.-China competition will be the “geopolitical challenge for this generation,” Cordell Hull, principal at WestExec Advisors, told an online symposium May 5 on Indo-Pacific geopolitics hosted jointly by the Asia programs of the Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) and the Wilson Center. “I certainly hope it can be managed,” and that it “doesn’t lead us into places where neither country really wants to go,” he said.
PHILADELPHIA -- The Bureau of Industry and Security may look to increase collaboration with law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, to help them better investigate export control violations, said Thea Kendler, BIS’ assistant secretary for export administration. Although BIS helps train agents from other departments at the Export Enforcement Coordination Center, it could look into bolstering that work, Kendler said May 4 at the annual University Export Control Conference at the University of Pennsylvania.
PHILADELPHIA -- The Bureau of Industry and Security hasn’t received many questions on its new cybersecurity export control rule since it took effect in March (see 2110200036 and 2201110025) but is planning more guidance to help industry and academia comply with the restrictions, a government official said. The official, who requested anonymity to speak candidly at the May 4 University Export Control Conference at the University of Pennsylvania, said the rule may not be getting much attention because its implementation coincided with a string of Russia-related export controls.
PHILADELPHIA -- The Bureau of Industry and Security is leaning toward new export controls on brain computer interface technologies despite urging from industry to avoid the restrictions altogether. Thea Kendler, BIS assistant secretary for export administration, said BCI technology has too many potential “nefarious” uses to not be subject to at least some restrictions.
Peter Quinter, former customs and international trade attorney at GrayRobinson, joined Gunster as the leader of its Customs and International Trade Law Group, Quinter said in a post on his LinkedIn account. Quinter advises on issues involving investigations by the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security, the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control and the State Department's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls. Before entering private practice, Quinter served as counsel at the Southeast Regional Headquarters of the U.S. Customs Service.
President Joe Biden on May 4 announced several initiatives to “advance” U.S. innovation in quantum information science and ensure the U.S. remains a leader in quantum technologies. The announcements include an executive order meant to “enhance” the National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee and a national security memorandum aimed at addressing the risks posed by quantum computers to America’s cybersecurity. The memorandum directs federal agencies to “develop comprehensive plans” to protect American intellectual property, research and development and other “sensitive” technology from being acquired by America’s “adversaries,” the White House said.