On September 5, 2024, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) issued an Interim Final Rule (IFR) implementing export controls on several semiconductor, quantum and additive manufacturing items, as well as Gate-All-Around Field-Effect Transistor (GAAFET) technology. This long-awaited rule is largely aimed at preventing China and other foreign adversaries from advancing their artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities,
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DoD Advances CMMC: Key Takeaways from the Proposed August 2024 DFARS Rule
On August 15, 2024, the US Department of Defense (DoD) published a proposed rule to amend the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) in order to implement the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program. DoD is executing a phased rollout of CMMC, and the August 2024 proposed rule is the second proposed rule DoD has
US Department of State Proposes New Rule to Revise Definition of Defense Service in the ITAR
On July 29, 2024, the US Department of State published a new proposed rule to revise the definition of defense service in the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (22 CFR parts 120-130, “ITAR”) in the Federal Register. Interested parties are invited to submit comments to the State Department through September 27, 2024.
Decarbonizing the Global Shipping Industry: Is Hydrogen Fuel the Answer?
Decarbonization is coming to the global shipping industry. Accounting for nearly one- quarter of all carbon emissions from the world’s transportation sector and one billion tons of carbon dioxide annually, shipping stands at a critical juncture in its efforts to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate its environmental impact. Among the emerging alternatives to traditional fossil
EU Expands Sanctions Regime Against Republic of Belarus After 14th Package of Sanctions on Russia
On 29 June 2024, the Council of the EU extended its restrictive measures against Republic of Belarus (Belarus) due to its involvement in Russia’s continued aggression against Ukraine. These measures aim to prevent Belarus from facilitating the evasion of sanctions against Russia and are in line with the EU’s recent efforts to strengthen existing prohibitions
BIS Amends the EAR to Expand Sanctions Against Russia and Belarus and Over 300 New Sanctions Designations
On June 12, 2024, the US Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) imposed additional export control measures against Russia and Belarus by expanding the scope of items subject to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) sectoral sanctions. The amendments to the EAR were issued in conjunction with the issuance of sanctions against over
Commerce Issues First “Final Determination” Under ICTS Supply Chain Rules, Banning Kaspersky Software Products from U.S. Commerce
On June 20, 2024, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (“Commerce”) announced the issuance of the first Final Determination (“Determination”) under Executive Order 13873 – Securing the Information and Communications Technology and Services (“ICTS”) Supply Chain. The Determination, which was published in the Federal Register on June 24, 2024, imposes a prohibition
EU’s First M&A Investigation: A Step Forward in Foreign Subsidies Oversight
The European Union is intensifying its scrutiny of foreign investments under the 2023 Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR). As the latest development, the European Commission has announced this week that it has opened an investigation into a proposed acquisition by e&, the UAE state-owned telecom operator, of the assets of the Czech telecom company PPF Telecom.
The Russian Federation’s Introduced Compensation Protocol in Response to the Unfriendly Acts of the US
The government of the Russian Federation is taking specific actions to establish a special procedure for compensation of damage caused by the US. Thus, this new procedure enables “Russian Rights Holders” (i.e., holders of damaged rights of the Russian Federation and/ or the Russian Central Bank) to address Russian courts with a statement claiming having
New US Trade Action Against Disposable Aluminum Containers, Pans, and Trays from China
On May 16, 2024, U.S. producers filed antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) petitions against imports of disposable aluminum containers, pans, and trays from China claimed to be (a) dumped – i.e., sold into the United States at less than fair/normal value prices and (b) government subsidized. The petition alleges dumping import duty margins of