On February 11, 2021, in a unanimous 5-0 vote, the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) terminated its Section 201 global safeguard investigation of U.S. blueberry imports, determining that increased imports of fresh, chilled, or frozen blueberries are not a substantial cause of serious injury, or threat of serious injury, to the domestic industry producing an
President Biden Issues Executive Order Sanctioning Burmese Military Leaders and Entities Involved in Coup
President Biden Issues Executive Order Regarding Military Coup in Burma and Sanctioning Military Leaders
On February 10, 2021, President Joe Biden issued an Executive Order concerning the military coup in Burma on February 1, 2021, in which the military overthrew the democratically elected civilian government and arrested numerous government leaders, politicians, human rights defenders, journalists,
CIT Proceeds with China Section 301 Tariff Refund Litigation with Appointment of Three-Judge Panel
In a February 5, 2021 order, after months of delay, the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) is proceeding in the China Section 301 tariff refund litigation with the appointment of a three-judge panel consisting of Judge Mark A. Barnett, Judge Claire R. Kelly and Judge Jennifer Choe-Groves. This is the CIT’s first action
President Biden Issues Executive Order for “Buy American” Criteria in Federal Contracting
On January 25, 2021, President Joe Biden issued an Executive Order (EO) stating that the “United States Government should, whenever possible, procure goods, products, materials, and services from sources that will help American businesses compete in strategic industries and help America’s workers thrive.” The EO tightens Buy American requirements by enhancing enforcement efforts, increasing domestic
DDTC Updates Review Policy for Commercial Sales and Exports of Precision-Guided Munitions
The Department of State’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) has announced that it will be adjusting the review policy to ensure U.S. partners receiving such items can employ them in a manner that will “minimize collateral damage and mitigate harm to civilians.”
The announcement notes that the “responsible and effective employment of PGMs requires
Biden Administration Places Hold on Recent Regulations Pending Review
On January 20, 2021, Ronald Klain, President Joseph Biden’s Chief of Staff, issued a memorandum to the current heads of all executive branch departments and agencies placing a freeze on the implementation of any new federal regulations, a typical move at the start of a new president’s term. This hold on further action will allow
BIS Issues Interim Final Rule Expanding Certain Controls on Activities of U.S. Persons
On January 15, 2021, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) issued an interim final rule implementing further provisions of the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 by: (i) imposing additional export license requirements under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) in connection with certain military-intelligence end uses and end users; (ii) clarifying
OFAC Sanctions Individuals, Entities and Vessels Involved in Venezuelan Oil Sector
On January 19, 2021, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned and placed on the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List three individuals, fourteen entities, and six vessels for their involvement in a network attempting to evade U.S. sanctions on Venezuela’s oil sector. According to a press release, the “illegitimate
USTR Continues to Criticize China and Russia for Poor WTO Compliance
On January 15, 2020, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) released its annual reports submitted to Congress that assess China’s and Russia’s implementation of their World Trade Organization (WTO) commitments. In keeping with past annual USTR reports during the administration of President Donald Trump, the reports note that these countries’ records of compliance
USTR Issues Findings in Investigation of Vietnam’s Currency Valuation Practices
On January 15, 2021, barely two weeks after holding a public hearing into the matter and just over three months after initiating an investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) issued its findings regarding Vietnam’s currency valuation. USTR found that “Vietnam’s acts, policies, and