Japan added another eight individuals linked to Hamas to its terrorist sanctions list March 5, the country's Ministry of Finance announced, according to an unofficial translation. The individuals are Ahmed Sharif Abdallah Odeh, Reda Ali Khamis, Mahmoud Khaled Zahhar, Ali Abed Al Rahman Baraka, Maher Rebhi Obeid, Ismail Musa Ahmad Barhum, Hassan Al-Wardian and Zuhair Shamlakh.
Chinese semiconductor innovation could become “more difficult to assess” as Beijing grows more cautious about advertising its successes, which it fears could invite new U.S. export controls, said Paul Triolo, a China and technology policy expert.
Thailand last month eliminated import duties and reduced its excise tax for wine, USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service said in a March 5 report. The change allows U.S. wine exports to enter Thailand duty free as of Feb. 23, which is expected to reduce the Thai retail price of American wine by about 35%-40%, USDA said. The agency said Thailand imported $132 million worth of wine in 2023, and 8% came from the U.S.
Australia on March 1 issued another round of sanctions against Russian prison officials with ties to opposition figure Alexei Navalny's death (see 2402280017). The new designations apply to three Russian officials “linked to the prison” where Navalny died last month, the country’s ministry of foreign affairs said. Australia said it holds President Vladimir Putin and the Russian government “responsible for Mr Navalny’s treatment and death in prison” and called for “an independent and transparent investigation” into the issue. The announcement didn’t name the sanctioned prison officials.
China criticized the U.S. decision last week to sanction Chinese companies for allegedly helping Russia evade trade restrictions (see 2402230035). A Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Feb. 26 that China “maintains an objective and impartial position” on the Russia-Ukraine war, and “normal trade and economic cooperation between China and Russia is not targeted at any third party or subject to any interference by any third party.” The spokesperson said Beijing “firmly opposes illegal unilateral sanctions against Chinese companies and will take necessary measures to resolutely protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies.” The remarks were in response to a TASS news agency question during a regular press conference in Beijing.
Japan extended its antidumping duties on electrolytic manganese dioxide from China until Feb. 25, 2029. The duties range from 34.3% to 46.5% based on the exporter, and a review showed that a lapse of the duties would likely lead to "recurrence of dumping and injury caused by dumped imports to the domestic industry," the Ministry of Finance announced Feb. 20.
Taiwan added 77 items to its list of goods subject to export controls on Russia and Belarus, the Ministry of Economic Affairs announced, according to an unofficial translation. The additional export controls take effect March 8 and are imposed to prevent the Russian military from using Taiwan's high-tech products in Ukraine. The items include milling and grinding machines, lathes and turning machines and machining centers.
Hesai Technology, the largest Chinese lidar company by sales, plans to sue the Pentagon for adding it to a list of companies with ties to China’s military (see 2402010018), the company announced Feb. 8. Hesai was added to the list “without any explanation or justification,” CEO Yifan Li said, calling the U.S. decision “unjust, capricious, and meritless.”
China recently updated the list of products whose foreign production facilities are required to register under Decree 248, the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service said in a report this month. China removed from the list 74 products and added 56 products, impacting certain dairy products, aquatic products, nuts and seeds, edible oils, grain products, beverages, frozen fruits, dry fruits and canned fruits. It said: "Some of the updates are not complete removals of the products but additions of the same products with different Customs, Inspection, and Quarantine (CIQ) codes created for China Customs’ use."
Beijing recently warned Japan not to take any moves that could disrupt supply chains with China following reports that Tokyo could soon tighten its restrictions on certain technology exports.