The United Kingdom’s Department for International Trade issued a July 10 guidance on export licenses for a range of U.K. goods after the U.K. officially leaves the European Union on Jan. 1, 2021. The guidance contains links to licenses and further information for exporting animals, agricultural products, chemicals, waste, diamonds and controlled goods. The guidance also contains a section detailing how the U.K.’s new sanctions regime may affect exports.
A spike in coronavirus infections among employees in German slaughterhouses is expected to have short-term impacts on global pork trade and long-term consequences for German pork production, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service said in a July 5 report. The impacts were compounded by China’s decision to ban pork imports from one of Germany’s largest slaughterhouses (see 2006300012), which was one of the main competitors for U.S. pork exports to China, USDA said. Germany will also likely move forward with long-awaited stricter animal welfare regulations now that the COVID-19 pandemic has “put the slaughter industry in the spotlight,” the USDA said. “Currently, there is just too much pressure on the German livestock industry and especially the pork market.”
The European Commission referred Austria, Belgium and the Netherlands to the European Union Court of Justice for failing to implement the EU’s anti-money laundering regulations, the commission said July 2. The referral includes a “request for financial sanctions,” the commission added. The commission also said the lack of implementation may affect information regarding corporate ownership of certain entities.
The United Kingdom’s Department for International Trade on June 29 updated its guidance on existing trade agreements with non-European Union countries. The guidance now reflects that the U.K. has begun trade negotiations with Turkey and Vietnam. Turkey is part of the EU Customs Union, so any deal between the U.K. and the EU will affect the U.K.’s trading relationship with Turkey, the guidance said.
Huawei received approval to build a $1.2 billion manufacturing and research facility in the United Kingdom, where it will focus on developing technology used in fiber optic communication systems, the company said June 25. Huawei said the plant, which will be located in Cambridge, will be “state-of-the-art” and bring “technology to data centers and network infrastructure around the world.”
The Eurasian Economic Commission plans to extend an export restrictions on sunflower seeds, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service said in a June 22 report. The restrictions, which will apply to exports outside the Eurasian Economic Union, will be extended through Aug. 31 to stabilize domestic prices for sunflower oilseeds, the report said. The restrictions would allow exports of the seeds on a “permit basis.” The EAEU includes Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. The EEC is its regulatory body.
The United Kingdom, France and Germany suggested they would support a continued arms embargo against Iran but opposed U.S. threats of snapback sanctions. The scheduled expiration of the embargo would have “major implications for regional security and stability,” the countries said in a June 19 statement, adding that they plan to discuss the matter with Russia or China. But the three nations rejected U.S. threats to invoke snapback sanctions under the Iran nuclear deal if the embargo is not extended (see 2006090047). “Any unilateral attempt to trigger [United Nations] sanctions snapback would have serious adverse consequences in the UN [Security Council],” they said.
The United Kingdom updated a guidance on June 19 detailing security and political risks for companies operating in Azerbaijan. The guidance includes updated information on risks related to intellectual property theft, organized crime, human rights violations, bribery and corruption, and terrorism.
The European Union called U.S. sanctions against the International Criminal Court “unacceptable” and said it will defend the court from the U.S. measures (see 2006110028). “The European Union remains committed to defending the Court from any outside interference aimed at obstructing the course of justice and undermining the international system of criminal justice,” Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign policy chief, said in a June 16 statement, adding that the sanctions are “unprecedented in scope and content.” He urged the U.S. “to reverse its position.”
The European Union trade policy is under review, aiming for a “fresh medium-term direction” for its trade agenda, a June 16 European Commission news release said. The EC is seeking input from industry, lawmakers and member states to help it respond to “new global challenges” arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan said the EU needs a “tougher approach” to defend against “abusive” trade actions. “The current pandemic is reshaping the world as we know it, and our trade policy must adapt to be more effective in pursuing European interests,” Hogan said in a statement. “With this review, we will listen to everyone who has a stake.”