Governments could eventually require companies to monitor their sensitive semiconductor equipment shipments by using location tracking features, which could help industry better conduct due diligence and improve government export enforcement, said Chris Miller, an expert on semiconductor technology policy and history.
The European General Court in a pair of decisions on March 6 rejected challenges to the EU's restrictions on wood and iron and steel products from Belarus. The court, in virtually identical opinions, rejected a trio of claims from Belarusian wood company AAT Mostovdrev and iron and steel company AAT Byelorussian Steel Works challenging the European Council's reasons for imposing the restrictions and infringement of the right to "effective judicial protection," alleged failure to observe the "principle of equal treatment," and imposition of measures disproportionately affecting the wood and iron and steel industries.
Japan added another eight individuals linked to Hamas to its terrorist sanctions list March 5, the country's Ministry of Finance announced, according to an unofficial translation. The individuals are Ahmed Sharif Abdallah Odeh, Reda Ali Khamis, Mahmoud Khaled Zahhar, Ali Abed Al Rahman Baraka, Maher Rebhi Obeid, Ismail Musa Ahmad Barhum, Hassan Al-Wardian and Zuhair Shamlakh.
Chinese semiconductor innovation could become “more difficult to assess” as Beijing grows more cautious about advertising its successes, which it fears could invite new U.S. export controls, said Paul Triolo, a China and technology policy expert.
A federal grand jury indicted Chinese national Linwei Ding, also known as Leon Ding, for allegedly stealing trade secrets on artificial intelligence technology from Google, DOJ announced March 6. Ding, who was residing in California, purportedly transferred the trade secrets from "Google's network to his personal account while secretly affiliating himself with" Chinese companies in the AI industry.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Ben Cardin, D-Md., said March 7 that his panel could soon consider several bills, including Iran sanctions legislation.
U.S. sanctions and export control agencies this week warned foreign companies about the risks they may face for poor compliance with U.S. trade rules, saying the government can pursue civil and criminal penalties against businesses for a range of transactions that take place outside U.S. borders. The new “tri-seal compliance note” published by DOJ, the Commerce Department and the Treasury Department includes a list of activities that most commonly place foreign firms at risk, outlines how U.S. export licensing requirements can apply to shipments through third countries, and summarizes recent enforcement actions taken by all three agencies to punish violators.
Two U.S. residents tried to illegally export millions of dollars worth of automatic guns, grenade launchers, stinger missile systems, grenades, sniper rifles, ammunition and other export-controlled items to South Sudan, DOJ said in an indictment unsealed March 5. The agency said they were trying to buy the weapons to “arm opposition groups” looking to overturn the country’s government.
Preparations continue for a jury trial set for April 1 in a criminal arms smuggling case involving the constitutionality of "specially designed" provisions in U.S. export controls (U.S. v. Quadrant Magnetics, LLC, W.D. Ky. # 3:22-CR-88-DJH).
Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., reintroduced a bill to impose sanctions on foreign entities and governments that provide financial or material support to Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or affiliates of the terrorist groups, Rubio’s office announced March 5. The proposed “Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad International Terrorism Support Prevention Act of 2024” was reintroduced to incorporate language tweaks and the addition of a Democratic co-lead, a Rubio spokesperson said. The House passed similar legislation in November (see 2311020030).