The State Department this week updated the list of countries eligible to trade in rough diamonds under the Clean Diamond Trade Act. The list, which was last revised Jan. 8, 2021, now includes the Kyrgyz Republic, Mozambique and Qatar.
The State Department approved a potential $1.67 billion sale of military equipment to Bulgaria, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said April 4. The sale includes “F-16 C/D Block 70 Aircraft” and related equipment. The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is seeking applications from people interested in serving on the Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee on Trade. Nominations for a four-year term should be submitted by May 4.
The Bureau of Industry and Security is seeking public comments to help inform the U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council's Secure Supply Chains Working Group. BIS said it’s specifically seeking feedback on how to “advance supply chain resilience and security in key sectors,” including semiconductors, solar photovoltaics, critical minerals and materials and pharmaceuticals. The agency is “particularly interested” in comments from foreign and domestic entities that “actively participate” in supply chains involving semiconductors, solar photovoltaics, critical minerals and pharmaceuticals. Comments are due May 23.
The Treasury Department released a list of countries that require or may require participation in, or cooperation with, an international boycott. Listed are Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Yemen. The list is unchanged from the previous version (see 2110070005).
The Bureau of Industry and Security is extending by 30 days the comment period for an information collection involving the Chemical Weapons Convention Regulations and the CWC’s declaration, report handbook and forms. The collection describes the purpose of the CWC and U.S. reporting obligations. Comments, originally due March 14, are now due May 5 (see 2201110021).
The State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls plans to send out a customer service satisfaction survey after its Help Desk and Response Team closes a case. The new survey, announced last week, will provide DDTC with industry feedback to “improve the quality of our support services,” the agency said.
The Los Angeles and Long Beach ports again postponed by a week a new surcharge meant to incentivize the movement of dwelling containers (see 2110280031), the two ports announced April 1. The ports had planned to begin imposing the fee in November 2021 but have postponed it each week since. The latest extension delays the effective date until April 8.
The Bureau of Industry and Security is seeking public comments on an information collection for the agency’s surveys and assessments of U.S. industrial sectors and technologies. The survey data provides "needed information to benchmark industry performance and raise awareness of diminishing manufacturing capabilities,” BIS said. Comments are due June 3.
The State Department recently approved up to $1 billion in combined emergency military assistance to Ukraine, it said in Federal Register notices released March 30. The first notice approves $800 million and the second notice approves $200 million of defense equipment, services and aid. The department approved the emergency assistance, part of a DOD “drawdown” package, because the aid could not have been met under the authority of the Arms Export Control Act or “any other provision of law.”