The Office of Foreign Assets Control last week released another video in its ongoing effort to provide guidance on U.S. sanctions programs and rules. The latest episode, released July 12, features guidance on “what it means when funds are blocked in connection with OFAC sanctions, as well as recommended steps for what to do if your funds have been blocked.”
China last week announced sanctions against six American defense companies and their senior executives for arms sales to Taiwan. The measures, taken under China’s anti-foreign sanctions law (see 2309270039 and 2310230032), target Anduril Industries, Maritime Tactical Systems, Pacific Rim Defense, AEVEX Aerospace, LKD Aerospace and Summit Technologies, according to an unofficial translation of a July 12 notice from the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ministry said the sanctions freeze those companies’ assets in China, and Chinese companies will be barred from doing certain business with their executives. Spokespeople for the six companies didn’t respond to a request for comment.
The U.S. last week sanctioned Iran-based Hakiman Shargh Research Company and added it to its Specially Designated Nationals List for its ties to Iran’s chemical weapons research and development efforts, the State Department said. The agency said the designation "follows the United States’ repeated calls for Iran to remedy its noncompliance" with the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Chinese and South Korean officials last week held their first meeting of a new export control dialogue forum in Beijing, where they “exchanged in-depth views on relevant export control issues,” China’s Ministry of Commerce said in a news release, according to an unofficial translation. The two sides also agreed to continue “close communication, create good conditions for the normal development of bilateral trade, and work together” to maintain the “smooth flow” of supply chains. The meeting was held about two weeks after the U.S. and South Korea discussed export controls as part of the second meeting of the U.S.-Korea Supply Chain and Commercial Dialogue Ministerial (see 2406280026).
The EU last week called on traders to bolster their export compliance programs, warning that it plans to continue expanding its restrictions on Russia and will target more third-country customers illegally transshipping controlled items to Russia’s military.
The House Appropriations Committee has included several export control provisions in a new report accompanying its version of the FY 2025 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations Bill.
The U.K. is investigating David Crisp, the manager of a luxury perfume brand, for allegedly exporting perfume to Russia in violation of U.K. sanctions, according to a civil judgment released this month by the U.K. High Court of Justice.
Two Republicans asked the Biden administration July 11 to provide a classified briefing on Microsoft’s new partnership with Group 42 Holding Ltd. (G42), a United Arab Emirates-based artificial intelligence company with ties to China.
The U.S. this week sanctioned the Venezuela-based group Tren de Aragua, which it labeled a transnational criminal organization, for its involvement in human smuggling, gender-based violence, money laundering, illegal drug trafficking and other criminal activities, the Treasury Department said. The State Department also is offering up to $12 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction of certain Tren de Aragua leaders. The designation comes after Republicans in March urged the Biden administration to sanction the group (see 2403180042 and 2404110054).
The U.S. sanctioned three more Israelis and five more Israeli entities for their involvement in violence or threats of violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. Among the designations are Isachar Manne and the Manne Farm Outpost, which the State Department said Manne established on land belonging to Palestinians. The agency also sanctioned Reut Ben Haim and Aviad Shlomo Sarid -- leaders of the group Tzav 9, which the U.S. sanctioned in June for blocking aid to Gaza (see 2406170030) -- as well as Lehava, Meitarim Farm, Hamahoch Farm and Neriya’s Farm. The U.S. has previously sanctioned Israelis for violence against Palestinians (see 2404190045 and 2403140019) after President Joe Biden signed an executive order in February authorizing those sanctions (see 2402010053).