On June 17, 2021, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued three general licenses related to the sanctions programs of Iran (General License N), Syria (General License 21) and Venezuela (General License 39), “Authorizing Certain Activities to Respond to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
U.S.-EU Summit Statement Addresses Trade, Investment and Technological Cooperation
On June 15, 2021, the United States and European Union (EU) issued a joint Summit Statement trumpeting a “renewed transatlantic partnership” at the conclusion of President Joseph Biden’s first trip abroad as president. The statement establishes a Joint Transatlantic Agenda “for the post-pandemic era, and … regular dialogue to take stock of progress.” The leaders
White House Releases 100-Day Supply Chain Review of Critical Industries
On June 8, 2021, the White House released its report analyzing the risks associated with supply chains for four key U.S. sectors – semiconductor manufacturing and advanced packaging; large capacity batteries; critical minerals and materials; and pharmaceuticals and advanced pharmaceutical ingredients. The report, Building Resilient Supply Chains, Revitalizing American Manufacturing, and Fostering Broad-Based Growth,
President Biden Signs Executive Order to Protect the U.S. Information and Communications Technology and Services Supply Chain
On June 9, 2021, President Joseph Biden issued an Executive Order (E.O.) to further address the threat posed to the U.S. information and communications technology and services (ICTS) supply chain declared in Executive Order 13873 (the “Telecom Supply Chain E.O.”; see Update of May 16, 2019). The June 9, 2021 E.O. also revoked and
USTR Announces Section 301 Tariffs in Retaliation for Digital Service Taxes by Six Countries but Suspends Implementation While Negotiations Continue
On June 2, 2021, the office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced the conclusion of its Section 301 investigations of Digital Service Taxes (DSTs) that have been adopted by Austria, India, Italy, Spain, Turkey and the United Kingdom. For each country, USTR determined that it would take action in the form of additional duties
CBP Issues WRO for Seafood Products Imported from the Dalian Ocean Fishing Company
On May 28, 2021, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a press release announcing that the CBP had issued a Withhold Release Order (WRO) for imports of seafood products from Dalian Ocean Fishing Co., Ltd., a Chinese entity, “based on information that reasonably indicates the use of forced labor in the entity’s fishing
Transfer of 3D-Printed Gun Technology and Software to the EAR from the ITAR Becomes Final
The State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) on June 1, 2021 announced that a final rule from January 2020, which moved 3D-printed guns out from control under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) over to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), is now in effect. See Federal Register notice of January 23, 2020
OFAC Again Issues Venezuela General License to Continue Authorization of Limited Transactions Involving PdVSA and Winding Down of Operations for Certain Entities
On June 1, 2021, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued Venezuela-related General License 8H, “Authorizing Transactions Involving Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA) Necessary for the Limited Maintenance of Essential Operations in Venezuela or the Wind Down of Operations in Venezuela for Certain Entities.” This general license continues to
OFAC Publishes Formal Burma Sanctions Regulations
The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has formally issued the Burma Sanctions Regulations to implement Executive Order 14014 of February 10, 2021, “Blocking Property With Respect to the Situation in Burma.” See SmarTrade Update of February 11, 2021. These regulations took effect on June 1, 2021, and are now
U.S. Government Files Opposition to Motion for Preliminary Injunction in CIT Section 301 Tariff Refund Litigation
On May 14, 2021, the U.S. government defendants in the ongoing Court of International Trade (CIT) litigation over Section 301 tariffs on certain imports of Chinese products filed their opposition to the plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction that would suspend collection of these tariffs on imports covered by List 3 and List 4A as