The U.S. government could face a host of challenges if it tries to place export controls on AI models to protect national security, the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) said in an article last week.

The U.K.’s Export Control Joint Unit this week updated two open general export licenses related to the multi-country F-35 joint strike fighter program -- a defense acquisition effort by the U.K., the U.S. and others to replace fighter jets among allied countries.

The Commerce Department declined to say whether it’s investigating Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company for a possible breach of export controls against Huawei but is aware of public reporting about the issue, an agency spokesperson said Oct. 24.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company recently spoke with Commerce Department about a possible export control issue involving one of its advanced chips, a company spokepserson said. TSMC "proactively communicated with the US Commerce Department regarding the matter," the person said Oct. 23. "We are not aware of TSMC being the subject of any investigation at this time."

China released new dual-use export control regulations Oct. 19, including details about its export licensing system, how Beijing will verify end-users of export-controlled items, how the rules may apply outside the country, and a method for adding restricted foreign importers, end-users and others who violate Chinese export controls to a new “control list.”

Banks should consider investing in additional processes and technology to adhere to the Bureau of Industry and Security’s new export compliance guidance for financial institutions, Sheppard Mullin said in a blog post last week.

New proposed rules for U.S. surveillance technology exports will help protect human rights worldwide, but additional steps should be taken to ensure American-made products aren't used to commit abuses, Freedom House said last week.

The Bureau of Industry and Security is soliciting public comments on the effectiveness of its export licensing procedures for agricultural commodities to Cuba, it said in a notice. The agency plans to include a “description” of any comments it receives in a report that it must submit every two years to Congress as part of the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000. Along with those comments, the report will include Cuba-related licensing data for the two-year period from Oct. 1, 2022, through Sept. 30, 2024. Comments are due Nov. 15.

The Bureau of Industry and Security recently updated a table on its website that lists which countries are eligible for License Exception Implemented Export Controls, an exception unveiled Sept. 5 that allows exporters to ship certain quantum computing items, chip machines and other advanced technologies without a license (see 2409050028). In a final rule, BIS said it updated the table on Sept. 17 by adding Denmark, Finland and Japan “to appropriate items in the table.” It also revised the table’s URL to be “shorter and simpler” and made other minor changes. The final rule is effective Oct. 16.

The Bureau of Industry and Security has completed a round of interagency review for a final rule that could remove export licensing requirements for certain spacecraft and related items destined to Australia, Canada and the U.K. BIS sent the rule to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs Aug. 30 (see 2409030005), and the review was completed Oct. 10.