Although National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan (see 2304270066) and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen (see 2304200058) confirmed in recent weeks that the administration is working on an outbound investment screening mechanism, their “vague” descriptions of the tool suggests the process has been difficult, a technology policy expert said. Martin Chorzempa, a research fellow with the Peterson Institute for International Economics, wrote in a May 3 post that the administration appears to be “having a challenging time balancing the planned restrictions against the concerns of a private sector that continues to have a stake in Chinese investments.”

The State Department approved a potential $110 million military sale to Latvia, the Defense Security Cooperation agency said May 2. The sale includes a “Naval Strike Missile Coastal Defense System” and related equipment. The principal contractor hasn’t yet been determined.

Governments globally should “proceed carefully” when considering new trade restrictions on per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to avoid “unduly” restricting current semiconductor innovation, the Semiconductor Industry Association said last week. The group said PFAS “are used in a wide range of industrial processes and consumer products,” and although some may present “environmental and health concerns,” governments should avoid controlling uses of the substances that may not present health and environmental risks.

The State Department approved a $31.2 million potential military sale to the U.K., the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said April 28. The sale includes “Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System-II” and related equipment. The principal contractor will be BAE Systems.

The State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls released its annual report to Congress on certain controlled defense exports. The report, released April 28, details the aggregate value and quantity of defense items and services authorized to each foreign country and international organization during FY 2022.

The State Department approved two potential military sales to Norway worth more than $1.1 billion combined, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said April 26. The first sale, worth about $1 billion, is for “MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters” and related equipment, and the principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems. The second sale, worth about $166 million, is for “sustainment and services for C-130J aircraft” and related equipment, and the principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin.

The Commerce Department announced the seven people who will represent the U.S. on the U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council’s Talent for Growth Task Force, a group aiming to help both sides build a better work force for emerging and existing technologies. Task force members from the U.S. include a Commerce official as well as several industry and union representatives.

Covington & Burling recently released a Chinese language version of DOJ’s revised Evaluation of Corporate Compliance Programs. The translated document, posted by the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Blog, includes DOJ’s March update that introduced changes to how it assesses corporate compliance programs’ approach to communications platforms (see 2303030056, 2304050081 and 2304240019).

Users of the State Department’s Defense Export Controls and Compliance System are now limited to five attempts when responding to password recovery questions within the application, the agency said this week. “After the fifth attempt, the account will be locked,” the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls said. Users who are unable to access their DECCS account for this reason should contact the DDTC information technology help desk at ddtccustomerservice@state.gov.

The Commerce Department launched a paper this week detailing its strategy for a National Semiconductor Technology Center, a “key component” of the Chips Act designed to support and improve American leadership and competitiveness in semiconductor research, design, engineering and advanced manufacturing. The paper outlines how the NSTC will “accelerate America’s ability to develop the chips and technologies of the future,” the agency said, including by creating “affiliated technical centers around the country.”