U.S. rail and steel industry groups asked the Treasury Department to sanction the China Railroad Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC), saying the state-owned company is undermining the U.S. rail sector. CRRC plans to dominate the global rail market and has used state-backed financing, below-market pricing and “other anti-competitive tactics” that threaten the U.S. rail industry, the groups said in a July 22 letter. CRRC was also mentioned in a June Defense Department list of Chinese companies with ties to the country’s military (see 2006250024).
The United Kingdom on July 21 issued a guidance on its Sudan sanctions regime for after the U.K. leaves the European Union next year. The guidance includes compliance requirements for companies doing business with Sudan and an explanatory memorandum detailing the sanctions provisions. The U.K. said it plans to “soon” issue statutory guidance on the sanctions regime, including information on licensing.
The State Department designated Maikel Jose Moreno Perez, president of the Supreme Tribunal of Justice in Venezuela, for alleged involvement in transnational organized crime, the agency said July 21. The State Department also offered up to $5 million for information that leads to Moreno Perez’s arrest or conviction. Moreno Perez, who was sanctioned by the Office of Foreign Assets Control in 2017, has taken bribes to influence decisions of civil and criminal cases in Venezuela, the State Department said.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control created a resource page for information on Hong Kong-related sanctions. The page includes links to frequently asked questions, guidance on U.S. sanctions and restrictions on Hong Kong, applying for a Hong Kong-specific license and more. President Donald Trump recently issued an executive order ending preferential treatment for Hong Kong and detailing a range of sanctions authorities and export bans related to the region (see 2007150019).
The State Department updated its guidance for the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act to address sanctions related to Russian energy export pipelines (see 2007150021), especially Nord Stream 2 and the second line of TurkStream, a notice released July 22 said. The agency deleted portions of the guidance that limited the focus of the act’s sanctions authorities to Russian pipeline projects for which a contract was signed on or after Aug. 2, 2017, the notice said. The agency also clarified that the “focus of implementation” will include Russian pipeline projects, such as Nord Stream 2, a pipeline from Russia to Europe, and the second line of TurkStream, from Russia to Turkey.
The State Department sanctioned Ramzan Kadyrov, leader of the Chechen Republic, for human rights violations, a July 20 notice said. The designation also targets Kadyrov’s spouse, Medni Kadyrova, and daughters Aishat Kadyrova and Karina Kadyrova.
Germany, France and Italy said they will pursue sanctions against countries that continue to violate the United Nations arms embargo against Libya, a July 18 joint statement said. The countries urged “foreign actors to end their increasing interference” and said they are “ready to consider the possible use of sanctions should breaches to the embargo at sea, on land or in the air continue.” The statement came about a week after the U.S. threatened sanctions against foreign militaries interfering in Libya (see 2007150020).
The United Nations Security Council sanctioned the leader of a Taliban branch in Pakistan, a July 16 notice said. The designation targets Noor Wali Mehsud, leader of Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan. The United Kingdom also added Mehsud to its ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List.
The United Kingdom on July 17 issued guidance on post-Brexit sanctions regulations on Mali, Yemen and Iraq. The regulations will help ensure the U.K. continues to meet obligations under United Nations sanctions against the three countries and will replace the U.K.’s current regulations under European Union sanctions. The guidance also provides memorandums for Mali, Yemen and Iraq, detailing the purpose of the sanctions and how they will be applied.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control on July 17 sanctioned four entities and one person for supporting a U.S.-sanctioned Chinese drug trafficking company. OFAC also sanctioned members of Nicaragua President Daniel Ortega’s inner circle and two Nicaraguan companies.