The State Department approved a potential $147.5 million military sale to Israel, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Dec. 29. The sale includes “M107 155mm projectiles” and related equipment, which will be provided from U.S. Army stock.
The State Department this week announced another military assistance package for Ukraine, providing up to $250 million of arms and equipment under previously directed drawdowns. The package includes air defense munitions, air defense system components, more ammunition for "high mobility artillery rocket systems," 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition, anti-armor munitions and more than 15 million rounds of ammunition.
The Fish and Wildlife Service released a final rule Dec. 28 listing the black-capped petrel (Pterodroma hasitata), a pelagic seabird species that nests on the island of Hispaniola and spends the rest of its life at sea, as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. New import and export restrictions set by the agency’s final rule take effect Jan. 29.
The Commerce Department clarified this week that companies can’t use Chips Act funding to invest in certain new semiconductor facilities in China and other countries of concern, saying some companies may have thought the rules blocked only certain investments in existing facilities.
The State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls may be delayed in responding to queries sent to its help desk and response team this week as it catches up to industry inquiries submitted during the holidays, the agency said. Because of the government closure Dec. 25 “and depending on volume of inquires received, responses may be delayed through the following week,” DDTC said. “The processing of classified provisos for delivery may also be delayed.”
The State Department recently approved three potential military sales worth nearly $2 billion combined, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said.
The Bureau of Industry and Security is seeking public comments on the impact of the Chemical Weapons Convention on commercial activities during 2023. The agency is specifically looking for feedback on how activities involving Schedule 1 chemicals were affected to determine whether CWC decisions "harmed" the “legitimate commercial activities and interests of chemical, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical firms” this year. Comments are due by Jan. 19.
USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service this month issued new guidance for U.S. exporters who “continue experiencing difficulties” registering their manufacturing, processing and storage facilities under China’s Decree 248 (see 2309210011), which requires certain U.S. production facilities to meet new customs and registration procedures before their products can enter China.
The State Department recently approved possible military sales worth a combined nearly $3 billion to Japan, Taiwan, Greece and Italy, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said.
The Bureau of Industry and Security last week opened registration for its rescheduled March 27-29 update conference on export controls and policy. The conference originally was set for Nov. 28-30 (see 2311080088).