On December 2, 2021, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced the expansion of sanctions against Belarus in response to the Lukashenka regime’s continued “disregard for international norms.” The actions taken by OFAC pursuant to
Continue Reading OFAC Expands Sanctions Against Belarus Through Additional Designations and Issuance of Directive 1
SmarTrade
Timely news and analysis of the latest developments in international trade law
Blog Authors
Latest from SmarTrade
OFAC Again Extends Venezuela General License to Continue Authorization of Limited Transactions Involving PdVSA and Winding Down of Operations for Certain Entities
On November 24, 2021, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued Venezuela-related General License 8I, “Authorizing Transactions Involving Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA) Necessary for the Limited Maintenance of Essential Operations in Venezuela or…
Continue Reading OFAC Again Extends Venezuela General License to Continue Authorization of Limited Transactions Involving PdVSA and Winding Down of Operations for Certain Entities
BIS Adds 27 Entities to the Entity List and One Entity to the MEU List
On November 26, 2021, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) published a Final Rule in the Federal Register adding 27 foreign entities and individuals to the Entity List for engaging in activities that are contrary to…
Continue Reading BIS Adds 27 Entities to the Entity List and One Entity to the MEU List
BIS Seeks Public Comments on U.S.-EU Export Control Cooperation
On November 30, 2021, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) issued a Notice of Inquiry in the Federal Register seeking public comments regarding areas and priorities for United States and European Union (EU) export control cooperation.…
Continue Reading BIS Seeks Public Comments on U.S.-EU Export Control Cooperation
U.S. and India Reach Agreement on Digital Services Taxes
On November 24, 2021, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced that the United States and India reached an agreement regarding the treatment of Digital Services Taxes (DSTs). Under the agreement, India will remove its existing DSTs before…
Continue Reading U.S. and India Reach Agreement on Digital Services Taxes
U.S. and Turkey Reach Agreement on Digital Services Taxes
On November 22, 2021, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced that the United States and Turkey reached an agreement regarding the treatment of Digital Services Taxes (DSTs).
Under the agreement, Turkey will remove its existing DSTs before…
Continue Reading U.S. and Turkey Reach Agreement on Digital Services Taxes
Changes to HTSUS Classifications Expected in January
Key Notes:
- U.S. importers should review their HTSUS classifications to be ready for anticipated changes in 2022.
- The changes may be effective as early as January 1, 2022, although the exact implementation date has not been published yet.
In April…
Continue Reading Changes to HTSUS Classifications Expected in January
U.S. and Japan Announce Partnership on Trade
On November 17, 2021, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry announced the formation of the “U.S.-Japan Partnership on Trade.” The intent of this trade initiative…
Continue Reading U.S. and Japan Announce Partnership on Trade
USTR Announces Further Extension of Certain Section 301 Product Exclusions for COVID-19 Response Purposes
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has announced that it will again extend Section 301 product exclusions for imports from China of medical care products needed to address the COVID-19 pandemic. The 99 exclusions were published on December …
Continue Reading USTR Announces Further Extension of Certain Section 301 Product Exclusions for COVID-19 Response Purposes
DDTC Amends ITAR to Confirm Policy of Denial for Defense Exports to Ethiopian and Eritrean Military, Police and Intelligence
Effective November 1, 2021, the Department of State’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) amended the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to add and update entries for Ethiopia and Eritrea, respectively. As a result, it is now the policy…
Continue Reading DDTC Amends ITAR to Confirm Policy of Denial for Defense Exports to Ethiopian and Eritrean Military, Police and Intelligence