Tag Archives: European Union

Recording Now Available: Boris’s Brexit: A Roadmap to a New US-UK Free Trade Agreement? – Panel Discussion – Oct. 23, 2019 – Washington DC

Watch a recording of our panel discussion from October 23, 2019 in Washington DC that examined some of the most critical aspects of Brexit and their short- and medium-term implications, including a potential roadmap to a US-UK free trade agreement, and what the impact of a possible Jeremy Corbyn government might mean for US-UK relations.… Continue Reading

UK Government Releases Custom Duty Rates in the Event of Hard Brexit

The UK government has published the proposed customs duty rates that will apply to imported merchandise entering the UK from third countries after the country has left the European Union (EU) under a so-called no-deal scenario. Unless recent political developments require the UK government to extend that deadline, it has been indicated that the UK … Continue Reading

Prime Minister May Resigns – Another Twist in the Brexit Saga: What Does This Mean for Trade?

By now, avid watchers can agree that Prime Minister May’s resignation will further complicate the already-complex Brexit landscape. Her tenure in office had been looking increasingly challenged for some time. The immediate trigger for her resignation was her final attempt to get her Brexit deal done, which included the offer of the possibility of a … Continue Reading

Brexit Insights: Transatlantic Perspectives – NEW Perspective: Spain

Our Brexit team resides on both sides of the Atlantic and has multifaceted expertise to help you with any aspect of your Brexit planning and preparation. We have sectoral and subject expertise, backed by political and legal understanding and technical ability for in-depth analysis, which together can ensure you are properly informed and prepared for … Continue Reading

How Do You, Your Suppliers and Customers Fare as Trade Tensions Escalate?

UPDATE: The Tariff Book was updated on May 10, 2019 to reflect an updated action on Section 301 by the Trump Administration that increased tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese products (List 3). How To Use The Tariff Book Because there is so much information included in this Tariff Book, we have made the document fully searchable. … Continue Reading

EU Introduces New Sanctions Regime Against Persons Involved in Proliferation and Use of Chemical Weapons

On October 15, 2018, the Council of the EU adopted new sanctions against people and entities involved in providing financial, technical or material support for or otherwise involved in any business transaction related to proliferation of chemical weapons. In particular, EU sanctions provide for the freezing of assets for sanctioned people/entities.… Continue Reading

EU Updates Its List of Sanctioned Entities

In October 2018, the EU decided to amend its list of sanctioned entities and persons in the following countries: Burundi, Guinea and North Korea. Further, the European Commission added new persons to sanctions directed against the ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida organizations, and removed restrictions imposed on one Iraqi entity. The up-to-date consolidated list of all entities and people subject to EU … Continue Reading

European Commission Starts Consultations on Its Guidelines for “Specially Designed for Military Use” Under the Transfer Directive

Directive 2009/43/EC (so-called the “Transfer Directive”) regulates terms and conditions of the transfer of defense-related products within the EU. According to the Transfer Directive, products are subject to licensing requirements to the extent they are “specially designed for military use”. The European Commission, in close cooperation with member states, has undertaken an initiative to clarify the scope of the term “specially designed … Continue Reading

EU Amends the Scope of Sanctions Against the Central African Republic

In order to implement the UN Security Council resolution of 30 January 2018, the Council of the EU has amended the scope of the exemptions to the embargo on exports of arms to the Central African Republic (CAR). In addition, the EU has amended the criteria for designation of persons and entities under the CAR-related sanctions. (Council Decision (CFSP) … Continue Reading

Brexit: Developments in Parliament on UK Trade and Sanctions Bills

The UK Trade Bill continued to be debated in the House of Commons with a second reading taking place on 9 January 2018. One of the main contributions of the bill is the establishment of the UK Trade Remedies Authority, an institution responsible for investigations into trade remedies, a responsibility currently assigned to the European … Continue Reading

UK Implements EU’s Venezuela Sanctions Regime

On 6 December 2017, the Venezuela (European Union Financial Sanctions) Regulations 2017 entered into force in the UK. This regulation implements Council Regulation (EU) 2017/2063 of 13 November 2017 and provides for the imposition of restrictive measures on persons or entities considered to be involved in undermining democratic principles and the rule of law, as … Continue Reading

Four Non-EU Countries Align With EU Sanctions Against Russia

On 31 January 2018, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy announced that Montenegro, Albania, Norway and Ukraine had aligned themselves with EU Council Decision (CFSP) 2017/2426. They have, therefore, extended a part of the sanctions imposed on Russia in relation to its violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity … Continue Reading

EU Declassifies Negotiating Directives for EU-Chile Modernised Association Agreement

On 22 January 2018, the Council made public for the first time the directives given to the European Commission to negotiate a Modernised EU-Chile Association Agreement. Quite interestingly, the Commission should address specific issues such as the promotion and liberalisation of investments, the protection of intellectual property rights, the elimination of non-tariff barriers, the cooperation … Continue Reading

EU Reaches Agreement on Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Directive

On 5 July 2016, the European Commission presented a proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive (EU) 2015/849, which is intended to prevent the financial system from being used for money laundering or terrorist financing. Following negotiations between the Council and the European Parliament, a provisional agreement was … Continue Reading

EU Parliament Adopts Amendments on Dual-Use Items Regulation Proposal

Presented by the European Commission on 28 September 2016, the dual-use items Regulation Proposal aims at reviewing the export control regime of dual-use items. The proposal contains amendments to key export control notions, for example, the amending of the definition of “dual-use” to include cyber-surveillance technologies. It also clarifies controls on intangible technology transfer (ITT) … Continue Reading

EU Extends Asset-Freezing Sanctions in Connection to Situation in Tunisia

The EU extended asset-freezes against persons provided in Council Decision 2011/72/CFSP and in Council Implementing Regulation (EU) No 101/2011 who are considered to be responsible for the misappropriation of Tunisian State funds. On 29 January 2018, the sanctions were extended until 31 January 2019 (See Council Decision (CFSP) 2018/141 and Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/137).… Continue Reading

EU Extends Its Sanctions on the Democratic Republic of Congo

On 11 December 2017, the Council extended its current sanctions regime against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) until 12 December 2018. These sanctions were adopted in response to the obstruction of the electoral process and the related human rights violations in DRC (See Council (CFSP) Decision 2017/2282). EU Candidate Countries Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania, … Continue Reading

EU Adds Seven Venezuelan Officials to Restrictive Measures List

On 22 January 2018, the EU froze the assets of seven Venezuelan officials, notably including the Minister for Interior, the head of the Intelligence Service, the head of the National Electoral Council and the President of the Supreme Court of Justice. These individuals are considered by the EU to be “involved in the non-respect of … Continue Reading

EU Amends Restrictive Measures on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

On 8 January 2018, the EU aligned its North Korea sanctions list with part of UN Security Council Resolution 2397 adopted on 22 December 2017. Sixteen persons and one entity, the Ministry of the People‘s Armed Forces, have been added to the list of those subject to an asset freeze and travel restrictions (See Council … Continue Reading
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