The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission postponed the deadline for bids to produce an unclassified report on China’s growing influence over shipping hubs (see 2112150014). The deadline, which was previously Jan. 3, is now Jan. 13, the commission said Dec. 16.

The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission is seeking a contractor to produce a report on China’s National Public Information Platform for Transportation and Logistics and other Chinese logistics services, the commission said Dec. 15. The report should include information on China’s growing influence over global shipping and logistics hubs, including ports, and its efforts to bolster its shipping competitiveness. The commission is accepting proposals from contractors through 5:30 p.m. EST on Jan. 3, 2022.

New CBP Commissioner Chris Magnus was sworn in Dec. 13 by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, CBP said. Magnus was confirmed last week (see 2112080029).

Beijing’s Wise Road Capital and South Korea's Magnachip Semiconductor Corporation terminated their merger, the two companies said this week. They received permission to withdraw their filing with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. after being told that CFIUS would not approve Wise Road’s acquisition of Magnachip.

The State Department approved two potential military sales to Greece worth about $9.5 billion, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Dec. 10. The first sale, worth $6.9 billion, is for “Multi-Mission Surface Combatant” ships and related equipment. The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin. The second sale, worth about $2.5 billion, is for “MEKO Class Frigate Modernization” and related equipment. The principal contractors will be Lockheed Martin Missiles and Defense, Raytheon, BAE Systems and VSE Corporation.

The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach again postponed a new surcharge meant to incentivize the movement of dwelling containers, the two ports announced Dec. 13. The ports originally planned to begin imposing the fee Nov. 15 (see 2111030027) but have postponed it several times (see 2111290039 and 2112060041). Both ports said they've seen a combined decline of 47% in aging cargo on their docks since the fee was announced in October (see 2110280031). The latest extension delays the effective date to Dec. 20.

The World Shipping Council criticized House passage of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act this week, saying the measure has been politicized and won’t fix the nation’s supply chain congestion issues. “The bill is a political statement of frustration with supply chain challenges -- frustrations that ocean carriers share,” said John Butler, president of the council, which represents Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd and other major carriers. “The problem is that the bill is not designed to fix the end-to-end supply chain congestion that the world is experiencing, and it will not and cannot fix that congestion.” Butler said the council will continue to work with the Congress to “seek real solutions” for the ocean transportation system (see 2112070046). The Ocean Shipping Reform Act, passed by the House Dec. 8 (see 2112080075), has been lauded by shippers, who say the bill could help hold carriers accountable for unfair fees and declined export bookings (see 2108100011).

The U.S. and Taiwan will work together on a new Technology Trade and Investment Collaboration framework, which will look to “strengthen critical supply chains,” including those involving semiconductors, the Commerce Department said Dec. 6. The framework, announced after a call between Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and Taiwan Minister of Economic Affairs Mei-hua Wang, will look to promote Taiwan investment in the U.S., Commerce said.

The U.S. and the European Union on Dec. 7 launched the EU-U.S. Joint Technology Competition Policy Dialogue, which both sides will use to more closely coordinate on competition enforcement and regulations in the technology sector. The effort, which will “occur in parallel” with the U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council, will allow various U.S. and EU enforcement agencies to “explore new ways to facilitate coordination and knowledge and information exchanges,” according to a joint statement. The effort may lead to “greater alignment on these pressing issues.” The dialogue will be led by the Justice Department, the Federal Trade Commission and the European Commission.

The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach again postponed a new surcharge meant to incentivize the movement of dwelling containers, the two ports announced Dec. 6. The ports originally planned to begin imposing the fee Nov. 15 (see 2111030027) but have postponed it several times (see 2111290039). The latest extension delays the effective date to Dec. 13. The fee, if implemented, will impose additional charges for containers moving by truck and dwelling for nine days or more, and for containers moving by rail and dwelling for six days or more (see 2110280031).