The Justice Department and Homeland Security Investigations can do more to track, analyze and disrupt illegal smuggling of guns into Mexico, the Government Accountability Office said in a March 24 report. The GAO said the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives often receives incomplete data on thousands of U.S.-origin guns recovered in Mexican states, and said “additional data and analysis” by HSI “could enhance U.S. efforts to understand firearms sources and smuggling routes.” As a result, both agencies are “unable to assess” their progress toward stopping illegal gun exports and haven’t “fully developed performance measures” for those efforts.
President Joe Biden plans to continue to address Chinese human rights violations and unfair trade practices, and soon will host an “alliance of democracies” to discuss how to better hold China accountable, he told reporters March 25. Speaking during his first formal news conference as president, Biden didn’t say when the meeting with allies will take place but said he will push partners to make China “follow the rules.”
The Federal Maritime Commission told lawmakers that it is still investigating port issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic (see 2102020050 and 2102250039), including unfair detention and demurrage fees and reports that carriers are declining to carry U.S. agricultural exports. The FMC has “yet to make any final determinations” on those issues but will take action against any “practices that violate the law,” the commission said in a March 17 letter to House members released this week.
Intel will invest $20 billion to build two new semiconductor fabs in Arizona in a bid to become a “major provider of foundry capacity” in the U.S. and Europe, the company said March 23. It plans to use its expanded foundry capacity to “serve the incredible global demand for semiconductor manufacturing” and to partner with IBM to better research and develop next-generation packaging technologies.
The State Department certified that the largest exporting and importing countries of certain precursor chemicals are complying with international rules surrounding illegal trade in drugs and other substances, a notice released March 24 said. The agency said China, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom have taken steps to achieve full compliance with the 1988 U.N. Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
Two Canadian companies recently announced plans to acquire U.S. businesses and are awaiting approval from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S., according to their Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The filings were previously reported by Squire Patton.
The State Department approved a potential military sale to South Korea worth $36 million, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said March 19. The sale includes AGM-114R Hellfire missiles and related equipment. The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin.
The Bureau of Industry and Security is seeking comments on an information collection related to statements by the ultimate consignee and purchaser of U.S. exports, it said in a notice. The collection involves Form BIS-711, which provides information on the foreign importer receiving the U.S. technology and how the technology will be utilized, and “provides assurances” that the technology will not be used in violation of the Export Administration Regulations. Comments are due May 24.
The Bureau of Industry and Security is conducting an information collection related to a survey to assess the competitiveness of certain U.S. industries in the defense industrial base, a notice said. The survey will help BIS “develop policy alternatives to improve the international competitiveness” of those industries to “meet defense program needs.” Comments are due May 24.
Commerce Department Secretary Gina Raimonndo said she had a “productive” meeting with the Semiconductor Industry Association last week and agreed that the U.S. should push for “strong investments” in domestic semiconductor manufacturing and innovation. “Semiconductors are America’s fourth largest export, and critical to our economic competitiveness and national security,” Raimondo said in a March 19 statement, adding that the meeting with SIA’s board of directors is the beginning of an “ongoing dialogue” between Commerce and industry leaders. “[O]ver the years we have underinvested in production and hurt our innovative edge, while other countries have learned from our example and increased their investments in the industry,” Raimondo said. “As Secretary of Commerce, combatting the semiconductor shortage and investing in American manufacturing of semiconductor technology is going to be a priority of mine.”