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BIS Amends the EAR to Expand Sanctions Against Russia and Belarus and Over 300 New Sanctions Designations

On June 12, 2024, the US Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) imposed additional export control measures against Russia and Belarus by expanding the scope of items subject to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) sectoral sanctions. The amendments to the EAR were issued in conjunction with the issuance of sanctions against over … Continue Reading

Commerce Issues First “Final Determination” Under ICTS Supply Chain Rules, Banning Kaspersky Software Products from U.S. Commerce

On June 20, 2024, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (“Commerce”) announced the issuance of the first Final Determination (“Determination”) under Executive Order 13873 – Securing the Information and Communications Technology and Services (“ICTS”) Supply Chain. The Determination, which was published in the Federal Register on June 24, 2024, imposes a prohibition … Continue Reading

EU’s First M&A Investigation: A Step Forward in Foreign Subsidies Oversight

The European Union is intensifying its scrutiny of foreign investments under the 2023 Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR). As the latest development, the European Commission has announced this week that it has opened an investigation into a proposed acquisition by e&, the UAE state-owned telecom operator, of the assets of the Czech telecom company PPF Telecom. … Continue Reading

The Russian Federation’s Introduced Compensation Protocol in Response to the Unfriendly Acts of the US

The government of the Russian Federation is taking specific actions to establish a special procedure for compensation of damage caused by the US. Thus, this new procedure enables “Russian Rights Holders” (i.e., holders of damaged rights of the Russian Federation and/ or the Russian Central Bank) to address Russian courts with a statement claiming having … Continue Reading

New US Trade Action Against Disposable Aluminum Containers, Pans, and Trays from China

On May 16, 2024, U.S. producers filed antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) petitions against imports of disposable aluminum containers, pans, and trays from China claimed to be (a) dumped – i.e., sold into the United States at less than fair/normal value prices and (b) government subsidized. The petition alleges dumping import duty margins of … Continue Reading

New CFIUS Rules to Enhance Enforcement and Investigation Activities

On April 11, 2024, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), a multi-agency committee administered by the U.S. Treasury Department, released a proposed rule (“Proposed Rule”) to amend the CFIUS regulations.[1]  The Proposed Rule seeks “to enhance the Committee’s identification and resolution of national security risks” by expanding the scope of information … Continue Reading

In-Person Event: US Export Controls Workshops in the UK – July 16-18, 2024

From EAR to ITARnity: Ever-Challenging US Export Controls Compliance When: July 16-18, 2024 Where: Stratford-upon-Avon, UK This hugely successful and highly praised event on US export controls regulations, which is jointly organised by Export Group for Aerospace, Defence & Dual-Use (EGADD) and Squire Patton Boggs, will be celebrating its 17th Anniversary when it takes place in … Continue Reading

White House Issues Executive Order to Strengthen Cybersecurity at US Ports

On February 21, 2024, the White House issued an executive order implementing various measures to bolster the security of US ports by expanding the US Coast Guard’s authority to regulate maritime cybersecurity, requiring the reporting of cyber incidents and investing in the US port critical infrastructure. With the increasing use of connected systems in the … Continue Reading

US ITC Launches Global Rice Trade Investigation

On March 1, 2024, the US International Trade Commission (ITC) officially announced the initiation of a new factfinding investigation into the global rice market. The investigation, titled “Rice: Global Competitiveness and Impacts on Trade and the U.S. Industry” (Investigation No. 332-603), was requested by US House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means Chair Jason … Continue Reading

European Commission Investigates Chinese State-backed Company’s Participation in a European Tender Using New Powers Under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation

The European Commission has launched its first ever formal investigation into a potentially market-distorting foreign subsidy, exercising its powers under the 2023 Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR). The investigation concerns the participation of a Chinese state-owned train manufacturer in a public tender organized by the Bulgarian Ministry of Transport and Communications. The outcome of this case … Continue Reading

Upcoming/New CFIUS Filing: Cunova GmbH (Germany) and KME America Marine Tube & Fitting LLC (U.S.)

Status: Upcoming/New Filing Acquirer: Cunova GmbH (Germany); KME Group SpA (Italy); SDCL EDGE Acquisition Corporation (Cayman Islands) Acquired: KME America Marine Tube & Fitting LLC (U.S.) Value: $736 million Industry Tags: Specialty Metals; Metals; Aerospace        … Continue Reading

Unveiling the New EU Foreign Investment Regime

To address growing geopolitical tensions and technological shifts, the European Commission presented, on 24 January 2024, five new initiatives for strengthening the EU’s economic security. Part of the package is a proposal for a new regulation on the screening of foreign investments, whose aim is to update Regulation 2019/452 (FDI Regulation), which is currently in … Continue Reading

BIS Amends the EAR To Implement Additional Sanctions Against Russia and Belarus and To Revise Existing Export Controls on Russia, Belarus and Iran

On January 25, 2024, the US Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) published amendments to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) expanding the sanctions against Russia and Belarus through new and revised licensing requirements. The amendments also refined existing export controls on Russia, Belarus and Iran to enhance the effectiveness of, and better … Continue Reading

New US Action Against Melamine Imports

On February 14, 2024, US melamine producer Cornerstone filed antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) petitions against melamine imports from Germany, India, Japan, the Netherlands, Qatar, and Trinidad and Tobago claimed to be (a) dumped – i.e., sold into the United States at less than fair/normal value prices, and (b) government subsidized.  AD case is … Continue Reading

Forced Labor Legal Developments in Europe: EU Council and Parliament Negotiate Final Text for Proposed Regulation

While many have focused in recent months on the US enforcement of the forced labor import ban (19 U.S.C. 1307) and the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) (Public Law No. 117-78), the EU is working on its own set of regulations prohibiting products made with forced labor from entering the EU market. A proposal … Continue Reading

Department of Defense Updates Section 1260H Chinese Military Companies List

On January 31, 2024, the Department of Defense (DOD) released an update to the Chinese Military Company (CMC) List in accordance with Section 1260H of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021. DOD added sixteen entities to the 1260H CMC List and removed three previously designated entities that no longer met “some … Continue Reading

US ITC to Investigate Global Rice Trade

In a February 5, 2024 letter to the US International Trade Commission (ITC), US House of Representatives Ways & Means Committee Chair Jason Smith (Republican-Missouri) requested that the ITC conduct a Section 332 investigation into the global rice market. The ITC will institute the investigation in the coming weeks, and it could be the first … Continue Reading

New US Action Against Paper Plate Imports

On January 24, 2024, US paper plate producers filed antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) petitions against paper plate imports from China, Thailand and Vietnam claimed to be (a) dumped – i.e., sold into the United States at less than fair/normal value prices and (b) government subsidized.  AD case is against all three countries.  CVD … Continue Reading

New U.S. Action Against Wine Bottle Imports

On December 29, 2023, the U.S. Glass Producers Coalition filed antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) petitions against glass wine bottle imports from China, Mexico and Chile claimed to be (a) dumped – i.e., sold into the United States at less than fair normal value prices and (b) government subsidized.  AD versus China, Mexico and … Continue Reading

Another Domino Falls: UK to Follow the EU in Ending the Antitrust Exemption for Liner Shipping

In our blog back in October, we noted the European Commission’s decision to let the Consortia Block Exemption Regulation (CBER) as to liner shipping expire on 25 April 2024. In a subsequent client alert, we noted that we were also waiting to see what the US Congress and the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) would do … Continue Reading
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