The Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) issued a final rule on December 28, 2020, in which it amended the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to revise the Country Group designations for Ukraine, Mexico and Cyprus. The EAR designates countries in Country Groups (A, B, D and E) which reflect each country’s export
U.S. International Trade Commission Releases Report Regarding Supply Chain Challenges for COVID-19 Related Goods
On December 22, 2020, the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) released a report providing information on the U.S. industries producing COVID-19 related goods and the market, trade and supply chain challenges and constraints affecting the availability of such goods. The report follows an earlier report that identified such goods treating and responding to the COVID-19
Commerce Removes Hong Kong as a ‘Separate Destination’ Under the EAR
On December 23, 2020, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) published a final rule in the Federal Register that removes Hong Kong as a “separate destination” under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). This rule follows U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo’s May 2020 announcement that Hong Kong no longer warrants treatment
OFAC Once Again Issues License Delaying PdVSA 2020 8.5% Bond-Related Authorizations
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced that it has issued General License (GL) 5F (Authorizing Certain Transactions Related to the Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. 2020 8.5 Percent Bond on or After July 21, 2021), which continues to delay U.S. persons’ ability to enforce bondholder rights to the CITGO
USTR Extends Section 301 Tariff Exclusions for Certain Chinese Medical Products Due to COVID-19 Response
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has announced that it is extending until March 31, 2021, Section 301 tariff exclusions for imports of certain Chinese medical care products needed to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Effective January 1, 2021, Section 301 tariff exclusions have been extended for a variety of Chinese medical care products,
OFAC Formally Places the Central Bank of Syria on the SDN List
On December 22, 2020, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) formally added the Central Bank of Syria (CBoS) to the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List. While OFAC notes that the bank is “already blocked as meeting the definition of the Government of Syria in [Executive Order] 13582 and the Syrian
Commerce Issues Military End User List for Exports to China and Russia
On December 23, 2020, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) issued a Federal Register notice in which it amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by adding a new Military End User (MEU) List. This list identifies entities that BIS has determined are military end users for purposes of the “military end
OFAC Sanctions Three Cuban Entities for Ties to Cuban Military
On December 21, 2020, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned three entities it has identified are controlled by the Cuban military and that have “strategic roles in the Cuban economy.” OFAC has placed the following three entities on the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List: (1) Grupo de Administración Empresarial
Commerce Publishes Additions to Entity List, Including China’s SMIC and Entities Supporting China’s Human Rights Abuses and Territorial Claims to the South China Sea
On December 22, 2020, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) issued formal notification in the Federal Register of its addition of 77 entities to its Entity List. BIS determined that these entities are “engaging in or enabling activities contrary to U.S. national security and foreign policy interests.” While these listings were
BIS Adds Over 60 Companies to Its Entity List, Including China’s SMIC
On December 18, 2020, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) issued a brief press statement announcing that it has “added” more than 60 entities to the Entity List, including Chinese company Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC), in order to “protect U.S. national security.” The Chinese companies include entities that enable human