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 24, 2021, the White House announced that US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a Withhold Release Order (WRO) on silica-based products made by Hoshine Silicon Industry Co., Ltd., a company located in Xinjiang, and its subsidiaries. This WRO is based on information reasonably indicating that Hoshine used forced labor to manufacture silica-based products. As a result, personnel at all U.S. ports of entry have been instructed to immediately begin detaining shipments…
On June 23, 2021, the Department of Labor published in the Federal Register a notice announcing public availability of an updated list of goods—along with countries of origin—that the Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) has reason to believe are produced by child labor or forced labor in violation of international standards (the List). ILAB is required to develop and make available to the public the List pursuant to the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act…
On 21 June 2021, the UK and EU both announced further sanctions targeting individuals and entities linked to Myanmar’s military regime. The EU announced that it was imposing sanctions against an additional 8 individuals, 3 economic entities (Myanmar Gems Enterprise; Myanmar Timber Enterprise (“MTE“); and Forest Products Joint Venture Corporation Limited) and the War Veterans Organisation. All designated persons are subject to asset freezes, with individuals subject to travel bans. EU persons are prohibited from making funds…
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 11 June 2021, the Recast Dual-Use Regulation was published in the Official Journal of the European Union as Regulation 2021/821 (the “Regulation”). The Regulation, which comes into force on 9 September 2021, will replace the current Dual-Use Regulation introduced in 2009. Key changes include: Two new general export authorisations: The Regulation introduces a general export authorisation for intra-group transfers of dual use software and technology to specified countries for product development purposes, that is available where…
In a Joint Statement with the UK, on June 17, 2021, the US Trade Representative (USTR) announced, that: The United States and the United Kingdom [today] reached an understanding to resolve a long-standing trade irritant relating to large civil aircraft. This development strengthens our special relationship and builds on the revitalized Atlantic Charter, which affirms our ongoing commitment to sustaining and defending our enduring values against new and old challenges. The framework provides that the…
On June 14, 2021, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced new exemptions from a temporary final rule placing export restrictions on certain types of medical supplies and personal protection equipment products (“PPE Products“) used in response to the COVID-19 global health pandemic. The new exemptions include industrial N95 respirators, PPE surgical masks, and specific syringes and needles. The temporary final rule is set to expire on June 30, 2021. FEMA first imposed export restrictions on certain PPE Products…
On June 16, 2021, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published in the Federal Register a final rule [CBP Dec. 21-09] that amends the CBP regulations to reflect the imposition of import restrictions on certain categories of archaeological and ethnological material from the Republic of Turkey (Turkey). These restrictions are being imposed pursuant to an agreement between the United States and Turkey (the Agreement) that has been entered into under the authority of the Convention…
On 5 April 2021, the US Court of International Trade (Court) issued a significant ruling that overturns a portion of the Section 232 tariffs imposed by President Trump under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (19 U.S.C. §1862). The decision affects the duties imposed on US imports of steel and aluminum “derivative” products but not the more general steel and aluminum tariffs. The Court found that President Trump missed the statutory deadline…