Electronics industry association SEMI called for industry input on a review of Trump administration export control policies, in a Jan. 25 letter to secretary of commerce nominee Gina Raimondo. The trade group said the prior administration made drastic changes to export control regulations without allowing enough industry input, and said the new administration should formally hear industry concerns.
Ghana recently postponed a planned 20% increase in registration fees and customs charges for certain imported goods and services, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council reported Jan. 21. Fee increases that were scheduled to take effect Jan. 1 were delayed for at least three months amid criticism from importers, shippers and freight forwarders that the increased charges would lead to higher prices and “damage to the economy,” the report said. The fees -- which would affect imports including office equipment, plastic goods, auto parts, telecommunication equipment, pharmaceutical products and furniture -- originally were scheduled to take effect last year but were pushed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the HKTDC said. Ghana will reassess the situation and the fees at the end of this year’s first quarter.
The government of Canada issued the following trade-related notices as of Jan. 22 (some may also be given separate headlines):
Vietnam recently launched an online platform that provides information and details on the country’s free trade agreements, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council reported Jan. 20. The portal will serve as an “online reference tool” covering rules for trading with Vietnam, including information on import duties, rules of origin, technical standards and other trade restrictions, the report said. It will also provide overseas traders with market updates and information on import and export procedures.
The Bureau of Industry and Security announced new controls on technologies and activities that may be supporting foreign military-intelligence end-uses and end-users in China, Cuba, Russia, Venezuela and other “terrorist-supporting” countries. The agency also will bolster controls to prevent U.S. people from supporting weapons programs, weapons delivery systems and weapons production facilities, BIS said in an interim final rule issued Jan. 15. The changes take effect March 16. Comments are due March 1.
The Bureau of Industry and Security removed certain license restrictions for Sudan (see 2012080003) to reflect the U.S. decision to rescind Sudan’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism (see 2012170015). The final rule, effective Jan. 14, will amend the Export Administration Regulations by removing anti-terrorism controls on exports to Sudan and by removing Sudan from Country Group E:1, which makes the country eligible for a 25% de minimis level, BIS said. Sudan also was added to Country Group B and will be eligible for several new license exceptions.
The government of Canada issued the following trade-related notices as of Jan. 13 (some may also be given separate headlines):
Huawei is increasing its investments in local chip companies to stabilize its supply chain amid a host of U.S. export restrictions on the company, the Nikkei Asia newspaper reported Jan. 13. Since being cut off from certain imports from many global semiconductor suppliers, the company has invested in 20 semiconductor-related companies during the past year and a half, the report said, and is building a “small-scale chip production line for research purposes” in Shenzhen, China. Ten of Huawei’s recent investments came after the U.S. amended its foreign direct product rule in May to further restrict Huawei’s ability to source foreign-made products containing a certain amount of U.S.-origin goods (see 2008170029), the report said. Nikkei also said Huawei is receiving government support to find new “targets for investments,” with one being China-based SiEn Integrated Circuits Co., Ltd. The investment would help Huawei with a range of chip services, the report said, including design, production, packaging and testing. Huawei didn’t comment.
The United Kingdom and Canada announced a range of measures to restrict trade with China’s Xinjiang region over allegations of human rights violations committed against Uighurs and other ethnic minorities. The measures include export controls, restrictions on certain imports produced by forced labor in the region and penalties for companies that violate the measures. Both countries also issued business advisories for companies operating in the region, warning them about compliance risks and exposure to penalties.
The government of Canada issued the following trade-related notices as of Jan. 8 (some may also be given separate headlines):