US – DoD amends DFARS list of LDCs that are designated under TAA

On August 8, 2013, Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Department of Defense (DoD) published in the Federal Register a final rule [DFARS Case 2013-D019] amending the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to implement a revision by the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to the list of least developed countries (LDCs) that are designated countries under the Trade Agreements Act of 1979.

USTR has revised the list of least developed countries that are designated as eligible countries as follows:

• Changed the name of East Timor to Timor-Leste, reflecting the change on the UN list.
• Removed the Maldives, which is no longer a least developed country.
• Added South Sudan, which seceded from Sudan to form an independent state on July 9, 2011, and was formally recognized as a least developed country by the UN in December 2012.

Although the United States continues to impose sanctions against Sudan, South Sudan is not subject to sanctions. This final rule revises the definitions of “designated country” and “least developed country” at various locations throughout the FAR The rule is effective September 3, 2013.