Chinese officials recently have slowed merger reviews of a “number” of proposed acquisitions by U.S. companies, asking the firms to first make available in China products that may be subject to U.S. export controls, The Wall Street Journalreported. China has so far slow-walked merger reviews of Intel’s $5.2 billion purchase of Israel-based Tower Semiconductor and chipmaker MaxLinear’s $3.8 billion purchase of Taiwan-based Silicon Motion Technology, the report said.
The State Department April 4 authorized another drawdown of $500 million worth of U.S. arms and defense equipment to Ukraine. The package includes ammunition, air defense interceptors, artillery rounds, anti-armor systems, small arms, heavy equipment transport vehicles, air defense capabilities, mortar systems, rockets and more, the agency said.
The Bureau of Industry and Security is seeking public comments on an information collection involving records retention requirements for export transactions and boycott actions. BIS requires people and entities to keep those records for five years “to preserve potential evidence for investigations.” Comments on the information collection are due June 5.
The Federal Maritime Commission released a list of Ocean Transportation Intermediary license applications recently filed with the FMC. The applications, from 11 companies, include "license reissuance" applications, name change requests and more.
MVM Logistics and MSC Mediterranean Shipping Co. (USA) Inc. submitted a Stipulation of Dismissal of a complaint, agreeing to continue settlement negotiations without the Federal Maritime Commission, the agency announced March 31. MVM in an October complaint accused MSC of charging $800,000 in unfair fees and failing to "establish, observe, and enforce just and reasonable regulations and practices relating to or connected with receiving, handling, storing, or delivering property" (see 2210260029). MSC denied those allegations, saying the allegations were "so vague and ambiguous as to make it impractical" (see 2211220017). The FMC said it will discontinue the proceedings without prejudice.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control on April 3 migrated its website to a new domain and launched a redesign of the site, featuring a new “streamlined” landing page, an “enhanced” frequently asked questions search tool, a filter for its sanctions program search and more. The agency said it plans to make “continued improvements to its site in the months and years ahead” and encouraged users to submit feedback by emailing O_F_A_C@treasury.gov.
The State Department is seeking public comments on an information collection related to disclosures of violations of the Arms Export Control Act. Comments are due May 3.
The State Department released its annual Hong Kong Policy Act report last week, covering “conditions” in Hong Kong from April 2022 through January. The report covers U.S. “sanctions engagement” with Hong Kong, including sanctions and export controls imposed during the covered time period.
The Bureau of Industry and Security last week extended by 30 days its public comment periods for two recent information collections. One information collection involves BIS foreign availability procedures and determinations (see 2211210033); the other is related to the report of requests for restrictive trade practices or boycotts (see 2211210031).
The State Department approved two potential military sales, to Bahrain and Kuwait, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said March 29. The sale to Bahrain includes $350 million worth of equipment and services to refurbish “Excess Defense Article (EDA) AH-1W multi-role helicopters,” and the principal contractor will be Bell Corp. The sale to Kuwait includes “additional Cartridge Actuated Device/Propellant Actuated Devices (CAD/PAD) and support,” part of a broader Foreign Military Sales program case valued at about $59.1 million. The principal contractors are currently unknown, "as there will be competitive contract solicitations after FMS case implementation," DSCA said.