The State Department is seeking comments on an information collection involving requests to change end-user, end-use and “destination of hardware” information, the agency said in a notice released Nov. 27. Those requests are submitted to the State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls before DDTC can approve exports of certain defense goods to parties other than those stated on a license. Comments are due Dec. 28.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service issued a guidance Nov. 20 on exporting “small-sized” individual product samples to “interested buyers in Japan.” The guidance is intended for companies that depend on trade shows and travel to showcase their products in Japan but have been unable to do so because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also provides information on duty-free shipments and import notification exemptions for U.S. exporters.
The International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations issued a “toolkit” for industry to better understand and apply the Federal Maritime Commission’s May rule on detention and demurrage fees (see 2004290037). The toolkit, released last week, summarizes the rule, details its applicability and scope, and analyzes industry objections. The FMC recently announced an investigation into whether ocean carriers are violating regulations on detention and demurrage charges (see 2011200024), after industry said the rule is being ignored (see 2011170041).
President-elect Joe Biden plans to nominate Alejandro Mayorkas for secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, the Biden transition team said in a news release. Mayorkas is currently a law partner at WilmerHale and previously was appointed deputy secretary of Homeland Security by President Barack Obama. While at DHS, Mayorkas was chair of the Border Interagency Executive Committee and worked on the International Trade Data System (see 1503230018).
The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs on Nov. 20 completed a review for a final Bureau of Industry and Security rule that will revise country groups for Ukraine, Mexico and Cyprus under the Export Administration Regulations. OIRA received the rule June 25.
The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs began a review of a final Bureau of Industry and Security rule that would change the license review policy for exports of certain drones. The rule, received by OIRA Nov. 20, would change the review policy for exports of unmanned aerial systems to reflect the U.S. July decision to loosen restrictions over those exports (see 2007270035).
The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs on Nov. 19 concluded a review of a State Department rule that would amend International Traffic in Arms Regulations requirements for certain countries. The final rule would modify the ITAR for Tunisia, Eritrea, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Cote d'Ivoire, Sri Lanka and Vietnam, as well as “other changes.” OIRA received the rule Oct. 28 (see 2010300007). The agency mentioned the rule in past regulatory agendas (see 2007200005 and 1911250035).
A new State Department paper warning of China and its global trade ambitions “only serves to lay bare the entrenched Cold War mindset and ideological prejudice of some people on the U.S. side and their fear, anxiety and unhealthy mentality towards a growing China,” a Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson said, according to a press conference transcript. “Their vile attempts to bring back the Cold War will be mercilessly rejected by the Chinese people and all peace-lovers around the world,” he said. The Chinese Communist Party “aims not merely at preeminence within the established world order,” but to “fundamentally revise world order,” with China at the center and serving “Beijing’s authoritarian goals and hegemonic ambitions,” according to the Policy Planning staff paper, “The Elements of the China Challenge.” It proposes a “tasks” list to “refashion” U.S. policy by educating Americans “about the scope and implications” of the alleged threat and training a “new generation of public servants” fluent in Chinese. The U.S. also “must promote American interests by looking for opportunities to cooperate with Beijing subject to norms of fairness and reciprocity,” it says. The State Department didn’t respond to questions Nov. 19.
President Donald Trump announced his intention to appoint six people to the President’s Export Council, the White House said Nov. 17. They are: Richard Rigdon of Florida, Barron Hetherington and Robert S. Carl Jr. of Pennsylvania, Deborah Maestas of New Mexico, Michael Stumo of Massachusetts, and Roddey Dowd Jr. of North Carolina. The council has not met in several years.
The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs began a review of a final rule from the Bureau of Industry and Security that would clarify the scope of certain export restrictions to reflect decisions made at the June 2019 Australia Group plenary meeting. The rule would amend the scope of Export Control Classification Number 1C991, which covers vaccines, immunotoxins, medical products, and diagnostic and food testing kits. OIRA received the rule Nov. 16.