The latest EU sanctions package against Russia, adopted last week, lowers the price cap on Russian oil, introduces more import and export restrictions and designates a range of vessels and companies helping Russia move energy products and evade sanctions.
A bill to mandate location-tracking mechanisms for exports of advanced chips was panned this week by technology policy experts who said the requirement would be tricky to implement and could push foreign customers to stop trusting American-made semiconductors. They also said Congress should be more focused on boosting the Bureau of Industry and Security budget to help the agency step up enforcement.
All shipments of U.S.-origin advanced AI semiconductors will require an export license from the Malaysian government when moving through Malaysia, the country announced July 14, a move that further aligns Malaysia with U.S. efforts to prevent the diversion of sensitive chips to China.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control removed a range of Iran-, Iraq- and Syria-related entries from its Specifically Designated Nationals List this week, including former Iraqi Trade Minister Muhammad Mahdi Salih; Syria-based Al-Ra'y Satellite Television Channel; and Swedish Management Co., which was originally designated for moving Iranian petrochemical products, and several of its vessels. OFAC didn't release more information about the removals.
Microsoft President Brad Smith this week warned the U.S. against introducing new export controls that could prevent American companies from becoming the world’s leading exporters of AI services, suggesting the Trump administration should instead look into expanding or replicating the AI deal it announced in May with the United Arab Emirates.
The Canada Border Services Agency recently issued a list of compliance and verification “priorities” for imported goods to alert traders about where it’s focusing its inspection and enforcement efforts.
Key Holding, a Delaware-based logistics company, was fined $608,825 by the Office of Foreign Assets Control to settle allegations that it violated U.S. sanctions on Cuba. OFAC said the company’s Colombian subsidiary illegally managed the logistics for 36 freight shipments from Colombia to Cuba.
The Bureau of Industry and Security fined a California semiconductor developer and supplier $4.25 million for violating U.S. export controls against Huawei, saying it illegally forwarded more than 1,500 power controllers, smart power stages and related accessories to the Chinese company without a license.
Chinese surveillance technology company Hikvision criticized an order by the Canadian government directing it to stop operating in the country (see 2506300022), saying it was based on “unfounded allegations of national security concerns.” The company said the Canadian order was based on the fact that Hikvision is headquartered in China.
House Select Committee on China Chairman Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Mich., urged the Trump administration June 27 to impose several export-related restrictions as it implements new AI deals with the United Arab Emirates and other countries.