The Council of the European Union on Oct. 14 added seven people and seven entities to its Iran sanctions list as a response to Iran's recent transfer of missiles and drones to Russia (see 2409160005). The additions include three Iranian airlines and two procurement companies that transfer and supply the drones and missiles through "transnational procurement networks" to be used in the war in Ukraine. Two propellant manufacturers were also sanctioned. The individuals include the deputy defense minister of Iran, various Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps officials and the managing directors of Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries and Aerospace Industries Organization.
Jacob Kopnick
Jacob Kopnick, Associate Editor, is a reporter for Trade Law Daily and its sister publications Export Compliance Daily and International Trade Today. He joined the Warren Communications News team in early 2021 covering a wide range of topics including trade-related court cases and export issues in Europe and Asia. Jacob's background is in trade policy, having spent time with both CSIS and USTR researching international trade and its complexities. Jacob is a graduate of the University of Michigan with a B.A. in Public Policy.
A new U.K. general license authorizes certain transactions with sanctioned parties involving U.K. government debt. The license, issued Oct. 14, allows certain payments "in respect of UK Government Debt where either the legal holder or the direct or indirect recipient or beneficiary of that payment is a UK" sanctioned or "prohibited" party, "provided the payments are held in Frozen Accounts or UK Prohibited Persons Accounts." The license defines "prohibited" parties as people and entities subject to certain sanctions against Russia or Belarus, and it defines "UK Government Debt" to mean "all securities issued by, or on behalf of His Majesty's Government in respect of money borrowed by His Majesty's Government."
The Council of the European Union on Oct. 14 added five people and one entity to its Moldova sanctions regime for actions related to Russian attempts to destabilize the country. The sanctions include the governor of the autonomous territorial unit of Gagauzia, Evghenia Gutul, as well as other officials in the territorial unit. The council also listed Evrazia, a Russia-based group "whose goal is to promote Russia's interests abroad," along with its director and founder Nelli Parutenco.
China opened a dispute at the World Trade Organization Oct. 11 against Turkey's 40% import duties on Chinese electric vehicles, the WTO announced. The complaint said the rate is greater than the duty rate laid out in Turkey's schedule of concessions and higher than duties on EV imports from other nations.
The Council of the European Union on Oct. 8 extended the sanctions regime on Nicaragua for another year, until Oct. 15, 2025. The sanctions, which currently cover 21 people and three entities, were originally imposed in 2019 to respond to Nicaragua's "deteriorating political and social situation."
A dual U.S. and Iranian citizen on Oct. 7 was arrested for allegedly violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act by sending digital and physical gift cards loaded with U.S. dollars to Iran, DOJ announced. Kambiz Eghbali, a Los Angeles resident, was charged alongside Iranian nationals Hamid Hajipour and Babak Bahizad for the scheme, which also included charges of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and commit money laundering.
The U.K. on Oct. 8 revised its antidumping duties on ceramic tiles from China, revoking the duties for tiles where the largest surface equals or exceeds 0.36 meters squared "unless the differential relief on the largest surface exceeds" 3 millimeters. The U.K. also revoked duties for tiles with an "edge equal to or longer than 600mm, unless the differential relief on the largest surface exceeds 3mm." Another change adds "finishing ceramics" to the description of the covered goods, while "glazed and unglazed" will be removed from the description. The notice also extends the existing duty rates for another five years, until Nov. 24, 2027.
The World Trade Organization on Oct. 8 formally began the process for appointing the next director-general, the trade body announced. Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, whose term ends Aug. 31, plans to seek reappointment. Member nations have until Nov. 8 to submit nominations, after which candidates will have a three-month window ending Feb. 8 to "engage with members and present their qualifications." A choice is expected April 8.
A new EU sanctions framework against Russia will allow the bloc to designate people and entities involved in undermining foreign elections and democratic institutions, the sabotage of economic activities, disinformation and manipulation, "malicious" cyber activities and more. The Council of the EU said it established the new framework Oct. 8, allowing the EU to sanction those undermining the "fundamental values of the EU and its member states, their security, independence and integrity, as well as those of international organisations and third countries." The framework was based on a proposal by Josep Borrell, the EU's foreign affairs and security policy chief, to respond to the "continued campaign of hybrid activities by Russia," the council said.
The U.K. on Oct. 8 sanctioned one person and three entities with ties to chemical weapons, including Igor Anatolyevich Kirillov, head of the radiological chemical and biological defense troops in Russia, which is involved in transferring chemical weapons for use in the war in Ukraine. The agency also sanctioned the 33rd Scientific Research and Testing Institute, Radiological Chemical and Biological Defence Troops of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation and the Russian Ministry of Defence 27th Scientific Centre.