Latest updates
Second shoe drops on US chem-bio sanctions on Russia: did anyone hear it?
Arent Fox LLP- USA
- 16 August 2019
The US State Department recently announced the issuance of another round of sanctions on the Russian government in relation to the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act 1991, which will come into effect on 19 August 2019. While this second round of sanctions is unlikely to affect most US companies, it may affect US banks, but only with respect to transactions involving non-ruble bonds and funds from the Russian sovereign issued after 26 August 2019.
Reforming US secondary sanctions: what is wrong that can be righted?
Arent Fox LLP- USA
- 26 July 2019
US secondary sanctions are sanctions that the United States can apply to wholly non-US actors in wholly non-US transactions of which the US administration disapproves. A sanctioned individual or entity can be put on the Specially Designated Nationals list, but there is no well-defined numerical threshold for imposing sanctions. This article identifies some of the problems with the application of secondary sanctions and offers some potential solutions.
July update on China Section 301 tariffs: latest from China-US talks
Arent Fox LLP- USA
- 19 July 2019
At a recent G20 Summit press conference, President Trump said that he would not lift the existing Section 301 tariffs on China, but would also not add tariffs on any additional Chinese imports "for at least the time being" as part of an agreement to resume negotiations with China. This article summarises the current status of the Section 301 List 4 goods and the List 3 product exclusion process which commenced on 30 June 2019.
Why ITAR empowered officials must be empowered and know ITAR
Arent Fox LLP- USA
- 12 July 2019
A company recently entered into a $400,000, 18-month consent agreement with the Department of State, Directorate of Defence Trade Controls (DDTC) to settle six alleged violations of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). The key issue was the company's ITAR empowered official, who was neither empowered nor an expert. Through this consent agreement, the DDTC is sending a message to the industry: an empowered official must have (among other things) sufficient authority to stop a transaction.
Customs issues guidance on how to preserve refund rights for Section 301 product exclusions
Arent Fox LLP- USA
- 05 July 2019
Because of the length of time since Section 301 duties were first imposed on Chinese imports, many 2018 entries first covered by the duties are approaching their liquidation date (if they have not liquidated already). As such, this article compiles US Customs and Border Protection guidance regarding how importers can preserve their rights to have product exclusions applied to merchandise that is close to liquidation or is still within the period before liquidation becomes final.
Post-quantum cryptographic algorithms and air launch platforms: BIS adds five new technologies to CCL
Arent Fox LLP- USA
- 28 June 2019
The Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a final rule which added five recently developed or developing technologies to the Export Administration Regulations' Commerce Control List that are essential to US national security. In particular, BIS amended four export control classification numbers and added a new one. These changes came into force on 23 May 2019 and have an immediate impact on parties exporting the newly controlled goods.
Foreign investors are watching for CFIUS negative or positive list
Arent Fox LLP- USA
- 21 June 2019
The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) is drafting the implementing regulations for the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernisation Act. Foreign investors are closely following how CFIUS will exercise its new 'country specification' authority – specifically, whether it will create a negative or positive list of specific countries whose transactions are, respectively, either required to undergo or exempt from CFIUS review.
Ruling offers protection to importers dealing with ambiguous scope of AD/CVD order
Arent Fox LLP- USA
- 14 June 2019
The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit recently ruled that where the scope of an anti-dumping/countervailing duty order is ambiguous, US Customs and Border Protection has no independent authority to suspend liquidation without explicit instructions from the US Department of Commerce.
Section 301 update: List 3 exclusion process to commence Summer 2019
Arent Fox LLP- USA
- 14 June 2019
The US Trade Representative recently published a Federal Register notice requesting comments on the proposed exclusion process for List 3 of the Section 301 tariffs on Chinese imports. As part of various changes to the exclusion process, the proposal does not appear to include a mechanism for applicants to designate specific information requested as being business confidential on the current form.
Sanctions on steroids: Huawei is a prohibited entity and foreign adversaries lurk in tech services
Arent Fox LLP- USA
- 07 June 2019
Between the addition of Huawei Technologies Co Ltd – the world's largest telecoms equipment maker – to the Entity List and a new executive order declaring a national emergency relating to information and communications technology and services, May 2019 has proved to be a period of non-stop excitement for the export control world. This article discusses what these changes mean for US companies.
Additional duties proposed on another $300 billion worth of Chinese products
Arent Fox LLP- USA
- 07 June 2019
Mirroring President Trump's recent threats – which came just days after the Section 301 tariff on List 3 products was increased from 10% to 25% following a breakdown in trade negotiations between the United States and China – the administration has released a fourth list of Chinese-origin products that will be subject to additional duties. For these tariffs to become effective, the Office of the United States Trade Representative will need to publish a final notice after a public comment period and hearing.
Section 301 update: List 3 increases to 25%, a possible exclusion process and a new List 4?
Arent Fox LLP- USA
- 31 May 2019
Earlier in May 2019, President Donald Trump announced that the Section 301 tariffs on List 3 products would be increased from 10% to 25%, effective from 10 May 2019. He also stated that a fourth list of $325 billion in Chinese imports would be taxed at 25%. Meanwhile, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer has stated that his office has "begun preparations to launch a process" for interested parties to seek an exclusion from the List 3 tariffs.
New sanctions on non-US companies doing business in Iran's iron, steel, aluminium and copper sectors
Arent Fox LLP- USA
- 31 May 2019
President Donald Trump recently issued an executive order authorising broad new sanctions with respect to the steel, aluminium, iron and copper sectors of Iran. The announcement came hours after Iran announced that it would no longer fully comply with elements of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. The executive order is a major expansion of existing statutory secondary sanctions which relate to steel and aluminium and also addresses two new sectors – copper and iron.
Department of State considering strict origin rules for jewellery
Arent Fox LLP- USA
- 24 May 2019
Fashion accessory and luxury goods importers of fine and costume jewellery containing gemstones or precious metals should be aware of a proposal being considered by Department of State (DOS) officials. According to the DOS, providing US consumers with information regarding the origin of raw materials used in jewellery is important in the fight against abusive regimes. In light of these developments, importers should begin to review their supply chains to understand how their goods could be affected.
New 22 CFR 126.4 ITAR exemption for transfers by or for US government: six things you need to know
Arent Fox LLP- USA
- 17 May 2019
After years of waiting, the new 22 CFR 126.4 International Traffic in Arms Regulations licence exemption for transfers of defence articles and services by or for the US government has come into effect. While the introduction of the revised exemption is largely positive for exporters, there are a few new boxes to check.
US-Mexico border update: delays continue
Arent Fox LLP- USA
- 10 May 2019
Companies have been on high alert since hearing about a potential shutdown of the US-Mexico border. Although President Trump does not appear to be actively taking steps to close the border, the administration has taken actions to address the migrant situation on the southern border that is disrupting global supply chains. To avoid delays, importers should, among other things, have accurate documentation and check with local port directors for any developments.
New law entitles Russian exporters of services to deduct VAT
Gorodissky & Partners- Russia
- 10 May 2019
The Duma provides certain incentives to encourage businesses to operate in Russia. For example, it recently passed a law which permits Russian exporters and Russian subsidiaries of foreign companies that provide services to foreign clients and other companies within such client's groups to deduct the full amount of value added tax for these services. The new law, which was drafted in response to the digital economy, will increase competition in the outbound services market.
Relief all round – Court of Appeal upholds relief from sanction
- British Virgin Islands
- 03 May 2019
The BVI Court of Appeal recently denied an appellant declaratory relief and upheld the respondents' relief from sanction, as granted by the lower court. While this judgment will inevitably provide some comfort to those that find themselves facing sanctions having inadvertently failed to comply with a rule, practice direction or order, it is a timely reminder for everyone that it is better to remain vigilant and compliant than to rely on the court's jurisdiction to grant relief from sanction.
USTR proposes list of EU products that may be subject to tariffs in coming months
Arent Fox LLP- USA
- 03 May 2019
The Office of the United States Trade Representative recently announced that it is initiating an investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act 1974 to enforce the United States' rights in the World Trade Organisation dispute involving subsidies provided to the large civil aircraft industry by the European Union. The investigation may result in tariffs of up to 100% on certain imports from the 28 EU member states as soon as 1 June 2019.
Section 301 update: trade war continues, but end may be in sight
Arent Fox LLP- USA
- 26 April 2019
Following a meeting with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, President Trump announced plans for an "epic" trade deal with China. However, to date, Trump has declined to set a date for a signing summit with President Xi Jinping to hammer out a final trade agreement, for which the Section 301 tariffs have emerged as a sticking point. China has demanded that the tariffs be removed as part of any final deal, while the White House hopes to use the tariffs as leverage to ensure compliance.
