The Australian Sanctions Office this month published a new format for its consolidated sanctions list to include "several significant changes that we believe will enhance its usability and clarity," the agency said in a Nov. 5. email to industry. The changes include standardized formats for dates of birth, nationalities and other information on the sanctions measures applicable to each listing, "such as targeted financial sanctions, travel bans, arms embargoes, or maritime sanctions," the agency said. The list now also includes vessels designated under Australia's maritime sanctions powers.
China's Ministry of Finance officially published notices this week to suspend certain tariff rates on U.S. exports for one year, part of an agreement made between the two sides during trade talks in South Korea (see 2511030005). Beginning Nov. 10, China will suspend an additional 24% tariff rate on the U.S. for one year while maintaining a 10% additional tariff rate on certain U.S. goods, the ministry said, according to an unofficial translation of one notice. Another notice says China will suspend certain tariffs, beginning Nov. 10, that had applied to certain agricultural goods, including chicken, wheat, corn and cotton, according to state-run news outlet Xinhua.
The Philippines and the United Arab Emirates have applied to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership to counter U.S. trade tariffs, Nikkei Asia reported Nov. 3, citing Japanese government sources. Last December, the 12-nation free trade agreement invited Costa Rica to begin the process of becoming a member (see 2412030053).
China's Ministry of Commerce this week urged the U.K. to reverse its recent sanctions against Chinese companies for supplying electronic parts to Russia's defense sector (see 2510160021), saying it "firmly opposes" the restrictions.
Beijing objected to the EU’s new Russia-related sanctions package, approved this week, saying it “strongly deplores and firmly rejects the EU’s repeated illicit unilateral sanctions against Chinese companies over Russia-related issues.” A Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson said the country “lodged protests with the EU side.”
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese thanked President Donald Trump for supporting the nuclear-powered submarine deal and defense trade agreement known as AUKUS, calling it "so important for us," at a White House signing ceremony Oct. 20 for cooperation on critical minerals mining and processing.
Vietnam adopted new dual-use export control regulations Oct. 10, setting rules for the "management of export, temporary import for re-export, transshipment" and "transit of strategic commercial goods," according to an unofficial translation. The regulations outline export licensing procedures for shipments of controlled items and say exporters moving those goods are "encouraged to develop and implement an Internal Compliance Program," including procedures for reviewing end users and uses, training employees and keeping records.
China is looking to shorten its export license application review times, and potentially issue exemptions, as it approaches the Dec. 1 effective date of its new rules to restrict overseas exports that contain certain levels of Chinese-origin material (see 2510090021), a Commerce Ministry spokesperson said Oct. 16 during a press conference.
China's Foreign Ministry this week objected to the Netherlands' takeover of Chinese-owned semiconductor firm Nexperia, saying China "opposes overstretching the concept of national security and discriminatory moves against companies in certain countries." According to an unofficial translation, a ministry spokesperson said during an Oct. 15 press conference that "the relevant country should abide by market principles and refrain from politicizing trade issues. China is firmly resolved in safeguarding its legitimate and lawful rights and interests."
China's customs agency recently updated its voluntary disclosure policies for reporting certain customs violations, according to an unofficial translation.