The Biden administration is “strongly committed to combating the illegal transit of firearms to Hait through multiple initiatives,” a National Security Council spokesperson said late Sept. 27.

The Bureau of Industry and Security has reviewed more than 1,250 suspicious activity reports (SARs) submitted to the government as part of an effort with the Treasury Department to collect more tips from industry about possible Russia-related sanctions or export control violations, said Matthew Axelrod, the top BIS export enforcement official.

The State Department will again renew relaxed export restrictions for certain defense goods and services involving Cyprus, it said in a final rule released this week and effective Oct. 1. The agency has issued the renewal each year since 2020 (see 2309130028), suspending its policy of denial for exports, reexports, and transfers of defense articles on the U.S. Munitions List to Cyprus. The move also suspends the policy of denial for retransfers and temporary imports destined for or originating in Cyprus and brokering activities involving Cyprus. The latest renewal expires Sept. 30, 2025.

Companies involved in the quantum computing, semiconductor manufacturing, additive manufacturing and other advanced technology industries covered by a recent Bureau of Industry and Security export control rule should review their compliance programs to make sure they can manage the upcoming license requirements, Gibson Dunn said in a client alert.

The Bureau of Industry and Security is extending until Oct. 15 the public comment period for two July proposed rules that could put in place new restrictions on U.S. persons’ support for foreign military intelligence and foreign security end users, among other changes (see 2407250032). BIS said the extension will give commenters “additional time to review the proposed rule and to be informed by the public outreach that BIS is conducting on the rule in preparing their comments.”

The State Department is extending until Oct. 15 the public comment period for a July proposed rule that could revise its definition of defense services and the scope of related controls in the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (see 2407250032). Comments were originally due by Sept. 27, the agency said. The State Department said the Commerce Department also will soon extend its public comment period for a complementary pair of rules it issued the same day that could introduce new restrictions on U.S. persons’ support for foreign military intelligence and foreign security end users, among other changes.

Austria, Estonia, Lithuania and the Netherlands on Sept. 22 signed onto a statement committing to place export controls around spyware technology, joining the U.S. and more than 15 other countries as part of an effort to raise trade guardrails for cyber-related items used for human rights violations.

U.S. President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed export restrictions and other trade issues during a Sept. 21 meeting, agreeing to order their governments to “redouble efforts to address export controls, enhance high technology commerce, and reduce barriers to technology transfer between our two countries.” They said they will address “technology security” through the India-U.S. Strategic Trade Dialogue and noted India’s ratification of certain agreements under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (see 2403140003), according to the White House statement. The two leaders also spoke about agricultural trade, saying the U.S. and India will “enhance cooperation with the private sector through discussions on regulatory issues and innovation to enhance bilateral trade,” the White House said.

China’s State Council this week passed a set of revised draft regulations for dual-use export controls, according to an unofficial translation of a Sept. 18 report from state-run news agency Xinhua that was posted to the Ministry of Commerce website. The ministry didn’t immediately release more information. Beijing has recently issued new export restrictions for a range of dual-use technologies, including in August when it published new requirements for certain drones, drone parts, infrared imaging equipment and more (see 2407310015).

The State Department is drafting a proposed rule that could revise the International Traffic in Arms Regulations by updating export controls on certain launch vehicles, ballistic missiles and other items in Category IV of the U.S. Munitions List and spacecraft and related items in Category XV of the USML. The rule, sent to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs Sept. 17, would "describe more precisely the articles warranting control on the USML," the agency said. It would build on an advance notice of proposed rulemaking issued in March 2019 that solicited comments on changes to Categories IV and XV.