On December 30, 2024, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) released a year-end update of the Boycott Requester List. This list notifies companies, financial institutions, freight forwarders, individuals, and other U.S. persons of potential sources of certain boycott-related requests they may receive during the regular course of business. Introduced in
USTR Initiates Section 301 Investigation on China’s Targeting of the Semiconductor Industry
On December 23, 2024, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced it was initiating an investigation into China’s acts, policies, and practices related to China’s targeting of the semiconductor industry for dominance. The investigation will be conducted under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, and will focus on China’s manufacturing of
OFAC Issues General License Allowing Transactions Involving Gazprombank Related to Civil Nuclear Energy
On December 19, 2024, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued Russia-related General License 115 to generally authorize transactions involving Gazprombank that are related to civil nuclear energy. After sanctioning Gazprombank in November 2024 in order to further limit Russia’s access the international financial system (see Thompson Hine Update
BIS Seeks to Further Strengthen Export Controls Targeting China’s Advanced Semiconductor Industry
On December 2, 2024, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) issued two new rulemakings in an ongoing effort to “further impair [China’s] capability to produce advanced-node semiconductors that can be used in the next generation of advanced weapon systems and in artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced computing, which have significant military
USTR Increases Tariffs Under Section 301 Trade Action on China for Tungsten Products, Wafers, and Polysilicon
On December 11, 2024, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced tariff increases under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 for imports from China of certain tungsten products, wafers, and polysilicon. Beginning on January 1, 2025, the rates for solar wafers and polysilicon will increase to 50%, and the rates
USTR Initiates Section 301 Investigation into Nicaragua’s Labor Rights and Human Rights Practices
On December 10, 2024, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced it was initiating an investigation into Nicaragua’s acts, policies, and practices related to labor rights, human rights, and the rule of law. The investigation will be conducted under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 and is the first under Section
CBP Issues Forced Labor Finding Concerning Aluminum Products Made by Chinese-owned Company in Dominican Republic
On December 4, 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released a forced labor finding concerning aluminum extrusions and profile products produced wholly or in part by Kingtom Aluminio S.R.L. (“Kingtom”), a Chinese-owned aluminum extruder in the Dominican Republic. Effective December 4, CBP will seize any articles that are covered by CBP’s forced labor finding
OFAC Further Expands Sanctions on Iran for Missile Attack on Israel and Renewed Nuclear Escalations
On December 3, 2024, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced that it was “intensifying pressure” on Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical sectors by imposing sanctions on 35 entities and vessels “that play a critical role in transporting illicit Iranian petroleum to foreign markets.” This action identifies and imposes further sanctions
BIS Announces New Controls on Exports to Pakistan
On November 25, 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) announced new export controls targeting Pakistan to address concerns about the diversion of certain items to unauthorized end uses or end users, particularly those on the Entity List. The final rule, effective November 25, 2024, imposes new licensing requirements
DHS Updates UFLPA Entity List with Additional Chinese Companies
On November 22, 2024, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the addition of 29 companies based in China to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Entity List, bringing the total number of entities on the UFLPA Entity List to 107. The newly identified and listed companies are involved in (i) electronic materials and