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IPEF Pillars Update

Partners of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) convened in Detroit Saturday to affirm their commitment towards achieving inclusive economic growth, sustainable clean economies, …

Detroit Trade Talks Wrap

The two-day meeting of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation ministers responsible for trade concluded in Detroit this afternoon without agreement on a joint statement. Support was unanimous among the 21 APEC ministers on the bulk of the language contained in the statement, but China and Russia refused to sign on to a paragraph condemning Russia’s war in Ukraine.

USMCA Maquiladora Labor Review, Again

The United States is once again using the rapid response labor mechanism under the US-Mexico- Canada Agreement to protect workers' rights at a Mexican facility. Washington is asking Mexico to review whether workers at a Goodyear SLP facility in the state of San Luis Potosi are being denied the rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining.

Gallagher Committee Makes Uyghur Recommendations

Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) voted in favor of policy proposals designed to combat the ongoing Uyghur genocide and enhance Taiwan's deterrence. The Wednesday adoption of these policy proposals comes on the heels of a March hearing featuring a survivor and witness to the ongoing Uyghur genocide by the CCP. The committee also held an April wargame highlighting the severe consequences of a deterrence failure in the Indo-Pacific.

Welcome to Your New WTTL

The Washington Tariff and Trade Letter introduces a web-based format for easier review, research and sharing.  Clicking on a story in the newsletter will now bring you to the full text on our new web site.

We seek reader guidance as we make this transition. Please send us your suggestions to fruffing@traderegs.com or call 301-460-3060.  

Thank you for your patience during this transition.

– Frank Ruffing, Editor 

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Vol. 43, No. 22 May 29, 2023

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The latest news

Sudan Sanctions Pressure Combatants

Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated four companies generating revenue from, and contributing to, the conflict in Sudan. The entities designated today are affiliated with the two embattled forces that are fueling the ongoing conflict in Sudan: two companies affiliated with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and two companies affiliated with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). Consistent with OFAC’s policy of supporting the basic needs of vulnerable populations while continuing to deny resources to malign actors, OFAC is issuing three general licenses (GLs) concurrent with today’s action.

Viet Procurement Office Faces Debarment for ITAR Violations

The Vietnamese government-owned company VTA Telecom Corporation (VTA) has been administratively debarred for violating the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), according to a public notice issued by the Department of State.  VTA Telecom Corporation was found to have exported or attempted to export ITAR-controlled defense articles, including hobby rocket motors, video trackers, and a gas turbine engine, without proper authorization.
More trade & tariff news
Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) has released new frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the Open General License (OGL) Pilot Program. In addition, DDTC has released updated versions of previously published OGL FAQs and related factsheet
The strategic objectives that guide the U.S. economic approach towards China are securing U.S. and allied national security interests, promoting respect for human rights, fostering bilateral economic growth through healthy competition, and cooperating on pressing global issues, testified Assistant Secretary for Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes Elizabeth Rosenberg to a Senate Panel Wednesday.  
American fashion brand Guess has reacquired its 30% stake from its Russian partner Vyacheslav Shikulov, an unusual move for the Russian fashion market. The deal, valued at €8 million (US$8.5 million), has consolidated 100% of Guess's Russian business after receiving approval from the US Treasury Department.
Customs and Border Patrol announces their intent to distribute to affected domestic producers the assessed antidumping or countervailing duties and interest that are available for distribution in Fiscal Year 2023 in connection with those antidumping duty orders or findings or countervailing duty orders listed in the announcement.
In a concentrated effort to overhaul dispute resolution proceedings within the World Trade Organization (WTO), Marco Molina, Deputy Permanent Representative of Guatemala to the WTO, updated  WTO members on the progress made in resolving dispute settlement reform,
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A federal court unsealed charges against two Los Angeles residents Friday for their involvement in an alleged bribery scheme directed by the People's Republic of China (PRC), marking another chapter in the ongoing confrontation between the United States and China over transnational repression tactics.
Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, Bonnie D. Jenkins, is set to travel to the Republic of Korea (ROK) from May 29 to June 2, to continue the United States' …
Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco delivered remarks at the celebration of the International Criminal Police Organization's (INTERPOL) 100th anniversary, praising its "century of transnational …
Today, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo, and the Australian Minister for Trade and Tourism, Don Farrell, held the second Ministerial meeting of the U.S.-Australia Strategic Commercial …
Global research and advisory firm Gartner Inc. has agreed to a settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over charges alleging violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (FCPA). The charges pertained to Gartner's business dealings with the South Africa Revenue Service (SARS), which allegedly involved corrupt practices to secure multi-million dollar contracts.
The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has sanctioned four entities and one individual involved in obfuscated revenue generation and malicious cyber activities that support the North Korean government.
As part of the ongoing US-Kenya Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP) , the United States has presented several texts concerning agriculture, anti-corruption, micro-, small- and …
By an overwhelming margin of 400 to 5, the House yesterday approved legislation (HR 1156) requiring the Treasury Department to report on the exposure of the United States to China’s financial …
On Thursday, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo met with Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao in Washington, DC. Their discussion encompassed several aspects of the U.S.-China trade relationship, including potential areas of cooperation and the overall trading environment.
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