China criticized the U.S.’s decision to add more Chinese companies to its Entity List (see 2005220058), adding that it will take measures to “protect the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese enterprises.” A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the U.S. has “overstretched the concept of national security” and abused its export controls. “We urge the U.S. to correct its mistake, rescind the relevant decision, and stop interfering in China's internal affairs,” the spokesperson said during a May 25 press conference.

Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry released its annual “unfair trade report,” which details foreign countries’ trade policies that are inconsistent with World Trade Organization rules, according to an unofficial translation of a May 25 notice. The report includes unfair trade policies conducted by a range of Asian countries -- including China, Vietnam, Indonesia and India -- as well as the European Union.

Singapore Customs scheduled system maintenance for its ASEAN Single Window gateway for May 27, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time, Singapore said May 22. During this time, certain features of the gateway may be unavailable, such as the electronic transmission of “Form Ds to the importing ASEAN Member State,” Singapore said.

China will allow imports of Indonesian dragon fruit, the country’s General Administration of Customs said in a May 23 notice. The notice includes quarantine and phytosanitary requirements for imports.

Cambodia recently lifted export restrictions for “all types” of masks, according to a May 19 KPMG alert. Exporters no longer are required to obtain permission from Cambodia’s health ministry before exporting masks, a restriction imposed as the country tried to maintain domestic supply. Cambodia also announced an update to its online system for a certificate of origin used for trade in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations market, effective June 1, the alert said.

South Korea recently updated its web portal used to register foreign food facilities that export to the South Korean market, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service report released May 19. The report contains links to the English-language version of the revised website and instructions for how to register. Registration is mandatory for import clearance, the USDA said, and must be renewed every two years.

Japan notified the World Trade Organization on May 11 that its revised quarantine pest list will take effect Nov. 11, 2020, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service report released May 20. The revision will impact quarantine requirements and phytosanitary measures for certain plant products, according to a WTO notification included in the report.

Thailand recently increased its import quota for fresh potato imports, creating opportunities for U.S. potato exporters, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service report released May 20. Thailand increased its quota from 52,000 metric tons to 58,400 metric tons for 2020 due to “insufficient supply” for further processing, the report said. The import window for potatoes for chip processing is July 1 to Dec. 31 annually.

China is seeing “fast improvement” in its international air cargo capacity after taking measures to support cargo flights amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a May 21 report from Xinhua, China’s state-run news agency. Xinhua said China has simplified approvals for cargo flights, held additional “peak time for cargo flights at major airports” and encouraged airlines to use all aircraft, including passenger planes, for cargo transport. China is now operating 4,250 international cargo flights per week, the report said, which is a 215% increase “over the average weekly international cargo flight volume during last year.”

China will simplify customs procedures for imports of iron ore, according to an unofficial translation of a May 20 notice from China’s General Administration of Customs. The measures aim to deregulate inspections of iron ore imports and “optimize the port business environment” by conducting on-site inspections and quarantine procedures, China said. The measure will take effect June 1.