Effective June 21, 2021, the Government of Canada imposed new sanctions against 17 individuals and 5 entities under the Special Economic Measures (Belarus) Regulations (the “Regulations”). The sanctions were imposed in response to alleged systemic human rights violations and the May 23, 2021 diversion, by the Belarusian regime, of Ryanair Flight 4978 from its planned course in order to land in Minsk. The imposition of sanctions by the Government of Canada was taken in coordination with the…
On June 23, 2021, Office of the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published in the Federal Register a notification of continuation of temporary travel restrictions at land ports of entry and ferries between the United States and Mexico from June 22, 2021 to July 21, 2021, unless amended or rescinded prior to that time. For purposes of the temporary alteration in certain designated ports of…
On 21 June 2021, the EU and UK announced coordinated sanctions against specified Belarusian individuals and entities. This follows the forced landing of a commercial aircraft in Belarus and subsequent detention of a Belarusian journalist, and suggests that the UK is continuing to align its sanctions regime with key allies following Brexit. The sanctions were further coordinated with the US and Canada. The designated parties will be subject to asset freezes, whilst individuals will be subject to…
On June 11, 2021, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) published in the Federal Register a notice announcing that the Parties to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) intend to hold the first meeting of the Labor Council virtually, on June 29, 2021. The session will include a government-to-government Labor Council meeting and a virtual public session on implementation of the USMCA labor chapter. The USTR and the US Department of Labor (DOL)…
On 2 June 2021, the UK government announced that the CPTPP nations had agreed to the UK’s bid to begin the accession process to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The CPTPP is a trade agreement between 11 countries (Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam), covering 500 million people. The announcement said the UK will continue to work closely with Japan, as this year’s…
On May 18, 2021, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) published in the Federal Register a notice that the Parties to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) intend to hold the first meeting of the Environment Committee (Committee) virtually, on June 17, 2021. Following the government-to-government meeting, the Committee will hold a virtual public session. The Office of the USTR will accept comments on suggestions for topics to be discussed during the Committee…
On May 12, 2021, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that it will replace aging rail scanning systems at twelve rail ports of entry on the US southern and northern land borders with high energy rail scanners as part of a $46 million initiative to enhance the security and efficiency of rail cargo inspections at locations throughout the United States. The new scanners use linear accelerators to generate X-rays from electricity rather than radioactive…
On May 14, 2021, USTR announced that Ambassador Katherine Tai will host the inaugural Free Trade Commission (FTC) of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) on May 17-18, 2021. Mexican Secretary of Economy Tatiana Clouthier, and Canada Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, Mary Ng, will attend the virtual meeting. The USMCA modernized the trading relationship between the three countries for the 21st century. The FTC is the first step toward realizing the…
The UK has issued the Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions Regulations 2021 (the “Regulations“), which came into force on 26 April 2021. These Regulations are designed to ensure that sanctions relating to serious incidents of corruption are enforced. The Regulations will give the government the power to impose asset freezes on designated persons or those dealing with them, with the aim of preventing the UK from being used as a “haven for dirty money.” This is the first time…
On April 22, 2021, Office of the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published in the Federal Register a notification of continuation of temporary travel restrictions at land ports of entry and ferries between the United States and Mexico from April 22, 2021 to May 21, 2021. For purposes of the temporary alteration in certain designated ports of entry operations authorized under 19 U.S.C. 1318(b)(1)(C) and…