U.S.-based TuSimple Holdings, which provides self-driving truck and autonomous freight shipping technology, is being investigated for whether it illegally transferred technology to a Chinese startup, The Wall Street Journal reported Oct. 30. The U.S. company is being probed by the FBI, the SEC and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S., which are examining its “relationship” with Hydron, the report said. Hydron is an autonomous truck startup led by one of TuSimple’s co-founders. The agencies are examining whether TuSimple shared with Hydron “intellectual property developed in the U.S.” and whether that “defrauded TuSimple investors by sending valuable technology to an overseas adversary,” the report said.
The Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. should conduct a review of Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter, Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said on Twitter. CFIUS should investigate the “national security implications” of the deal, Murphy said Oct. 31, specifically Saudi Arabia’s role in the acquisition. Bloomberg recently reported (see 2210210018) that CFIUS could exercise its jurisdiction over the deal due to the “presence of foreign investors in Musk’s consortium,” which includes Prince Alwaleed bin Talal of Saudi Arabia.
USDA will be joined by officials from 32 agricultural businesses and farm organizations on a trade mission to Nairobi, Kenya, and Zanzibar, Tanzania, later this month, the agency said this week. The Oct. 31 to Nov. 4 mission will connect U.S. exporters with African customers “to establish trade relationships and expand opportunities for U.S. agricultural exports.” U.S. government officials also plan to meet with their counterparts to discuss “trade-related policies that will advance U.S. interests and strengthen bilateral relations in the region.”
DOJ's recent moves charging 11 individuals and various corporate entities for their roles in schemes to evade U.S. sanctions and export controls on Russia signal the government's continuing efforts to "aggressively enforce" restrictions on Russia, law firm Paul Weiss said in an analysis posted online Oct. 26. As a result, multilateral corporations with international supply chains need to ramp up compliance measures and be aware that international cooperation has expanded the reach of U.S. sanctions enforcement, the firm said.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, in a Federal Register notice published Oct. 26, asked for applications from people who would like to serve on panels that review final determinations in antidumping or countervailing duty proceedings and amendments to AD/CVD statutes of a USMCA Party. These people would be on the roster from April 1, 2023, through March 31, 2024. Applications are due by Nov. 30, and can be submitted at www.regulations.gov, docket number USTR-2022-0015.
The U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council will next meet on Dec. 5. The two sides announced this week. The council’s third meeting will be held in the Washington, D.C., area and comes after the second meeting, held in May in Paris, where the two sides agreed to several export control and investment screening initiatives (see 2205160033).
The Bureau of Industry and Security is conducting a survey to assess the U.S. microelectronics industrial base, the agency announced this week. Answers for the survey will help BIS complete a study on the microelectronics industrial base mandated by the FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act. BIS said its support staff can be reached at SemiconductorStudy@bis.doc.gov “to answer questions and assist in completion of the survey."
The Bureau of Industry and Security this week extended the comment period on an information collection related to its license exemptions and exclusions for export-controlled goods. In June, comments were requested during a 60-day period (see 2206140007), but the agency said it’s allowing for an additional 30 days of input.
The State Department on Oct. 21 completed an interagency review for a final rule to amend the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. The rule would make amendments to “Supplement No. 1 to part 126 in Support of Allies.” The rule was sent for interagency review Sept. 17.
The State Department approved a potential $450 million military sale to Japan, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Oct. 20. The sale includes “Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) Block I missiles” and related equipment. The principal contractor will be Raytheon Missiles and Defense.