Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., introduced a bill this week that could lead to sanctions being imposed on Chinese entities and officials involved in producing precursor chemicals for fentanyl.
The State Department will again renew relaxed export restrictions for certain defense goods and services involving Cyprus, it said in a final rule released this week and effective Oct. 1. The agency has issued the renewal each year since 2020 (see 2309130028), suspending its policy of denial for exports, reexports, and transfers of defense articles on the U.S. Munitions List to Cyprus. The move also suspends the policy of denial for retransfers and temporary imports destined for or originating in Cyprus and brokering activities involving Cyprus. The latest renewal expires Sept. 30, 2025.
The Bureau of Industry and Security is extending until Oct. 15 the public comment period for two July proposed rules that could put in place new restrictions on U.S. persons’ support for foreign military intelligence and foreign security end users, among other changes (see 2407250032). BIS said the extension will give commenters “additional time to review the proposed rule and to be informed by the public outreach that BIS is conducting on the rule in preparing their comments.”
Members of the European Parliament approved a resolution last week calling on the EU to expand sanctions against Russia, Belarus, and non-EU countries and entities providing Russia with military and dual-use technologies.
The State Department is extending until Oct. 15 the public comment period for a July proposed rule that could revise its definition of defense services and the scope of related controls in the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (see 2407250032). Comments were originally due by Sept. 27, the agency said. The State Department said the Commerce Department also will soon extend its public comment period for a complementary pair of rules it issued the same day that could introduce new restrictions on U.S. persons’ support for foreign military intelligence and foreign security end users, among other changes.
The Bureau of Industry and Security has removed multiple companies from a list of flagged foreign suppliers accused of illegal sales to Russia, including one after the company told BIS it was added by mistake, Export Compliance Daily has learned.
A bipartisan group of six House members urged the Biden administration last week to step up enforcement of oil sanctions against Iran to reduce Tehran’s ability to fund terrorism.
TPG Pressure, a U.S. supplier of construction equipment and services that accused U.S.-based Omni Logistics in 2022 of charging unsubstantiated and unlawful demurrage fees (see 2212020027), isn't entitled to compensation, an administrative law judge ruled last week.
China officially requested dispute consultations with Canada at the World Trade Organization Sept. 11 regarding Canada's upcoming tariffs on various Chinese goods (see 2409040007), including electric vehicles and steel and aluminum products, the WTO announced. If consultations have failed to settle the matter within 60 days, China can request a dispute panel.
The Treasury Department this week sanctioned 10 people and six entities in Iran and Russia involved in trading Iranian weapons and drones, along with four vessels delivering those shipments. The State Department also designated various shipping companies and vessels, including Iran Air, which the agency said is being used to move Western-origin goods to Russia.