The European Union will replace its COVID-19 vaccine export controls after they expire on Dec. 31 with a new tool that monitors vaccine shipments, the European Commission said. The current export control mechanism requires would-be exporters to apply for authorization to ship their vaccines outside the EU -- a system that led the union to block some vaccine shipments. The system taking its place is meant to feed the commission "timely, company-specific vaccine export data" and bolster an emphasis on transparency in vaccine exports. The data will be collected by EU member states' customs authorities. “The EU has been at the forefront of the global vaccination effort," EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said. "We have exported over half our vaccines production and we have supported and funded initiatives such as COVAX, which help to ensure vaccine access to those parts of the world most in need. Mindful of our global responsibilities, I am pleased that we will now replace our current authorisation system with a new monitoring mechanism to get precise data on our exports. There is still important work to be done in the drive to vaccinate the world, therefore we will redouble our efforts on all fronts at the upcoming WTO Ministerial meeting to ensure a holistic global response to the pandemic.” The release said this means that, "as of 1 January 2022, vaccine producers will no longer have to request an authorisation for the export of vaccines outside the EU."
The Eurasian Economic Union recently cut the number of countries to which it extends preferential tariffs from 103 to 29, leaving out many major Asian countries, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council reported Nov. 23. The preferential tariffs, provided under the EAEU’s Generalized System of Preferences scheme, now no longer apply to China, India, South Korea, Singapore and others. But the Philippines remains on the list, HKTDC said, and their exporters will still benefit from a 25% reduction in customs duties when shipping certain furniture, industrial goods such as natural rubber, agricultural products and more.
A group of countries aligned themselves with the European Council's decision to renew for another 12 months, until Nov. 14, 2022, sanctions measures against Venezuelan officials and entities, the EC said Nov. 26 (see 2011120009). Amendments to the statement of reasons for 26 persons on their entity list also were made. The countries are North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Georgia.
The European Union released reports this week on its export control and foreign direct investment screening regimes, including statistics on investment clearances and export denials. The report is the first official, sweeping look into the EU’s new dual-use export control regime since it took effect in September (see 2109090007) and its FDI screening mechanism since it launched an updated FDI regime last year (see 1903210049).
The United Kingdom exempted bicycle part imports from Frog Bikes Manufacturing Ltd. from the antidumping duty on bicycle parts from China, the Department for International Trade said. After Nov. 22, all bicycle parts imported by this company from China are exempt from the AD duty, with the additional Tariff Application Platform code to be cited as C499. The antidumping duty was carried over from the European Union following the U.K.'s exit from the bloc.
The European Union opened registration for its 2021 Export Control Forum, the European Commission and the Slovenian Presidency of the European Council said. Inviting members from EU member states, industry, academia and civil society to participate in the Dec. 8 forum in Brussels, the commission said the event will focus on EU and global export control developments along with the first steps for the implementation of the new dual-use regulation that took effect Sept. 9.
The Danish Financial Supervisory Authority found that dealing with Danske Bank carries an inherent risk that the bank's customers will breach international sanctions, due in large part to the bank's lack of due diligence procedures, the Danish FSA said Nov. 16. The Danish FSA said its anti-money laundering inspection of the bank found serious holes in the bank's procedures.
The United Kingdom released the findings of a Department for International Trade report that looks into the needs of large exporting businesses. Kantar Public conducted the research, consisting of 27 interviews with large exporting firms and five small group interviews with DIT staffers who support these businesses. The report identified barriers to exporting, support needed for exporting, views on the DIT's export services and more. The report found Brexit and COVID-19 to be the largest barriers to exporters. For large exporting businesses, DIT help could mainly be found in winning new contracts and overcoming formal and informal market barriers "at the development and delivery stage of the export journey," the report said. It pointed to a preference for large businesses to have a single point of contact for relaying needs and administering DIT help. DIT said that it will consider creating a two-tiered export support system for exporting firms, among other revisions.
The United Kingdom extended its Belarus sanctions regime to the Isle of Man in an order that entered into effect Nov. 11. Effective that same day, the U.K. in a separate order extended its Belarus sanctions to apply to all its overseas territories, save Bermuda and Gibraltar, which impose sanctions through domestic legislation.
The European Union initiated an anti-subsidy proceeding on graphite electrode systems from China, the European Commission said in a Nov. 18 notice. Following a complaint filed Oct. 4 from Graphite Cova, Showa Denko Carbon Holding and Tokai ErftCarbon, the commission launched the investigation. The investigation covers the period Jan. 1, 2020, to Dec. 31, 2020.