DHS Adds 5 Entities to UFLPA Entity List
August 14, 2024 – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) added five entities in China last week to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Entity List, including possible suppliers of magnesium and copper. The entities are:
- Rare Earth Magnesium Technology Group Holdings, Ltd.
- Xinjiang Habahe Ashele Copper Co., Ltd.
- Xinjiang Tengxiang Magnesium Products Co., Ltd.
- Century Sunshine Group Holdings, Ltd.
- Kashgar, Construction Engineering (Group) Co., Ltd.
There are now 73 entities on the list since it was created at the time that the UFLPA was enacted in 2021. See the UFLPA Entity List.
House Reportedly Planning Vote on “China Week” Legislation
August 14, 2024 – Capitol Hill staffers have reportedly indicated that the House is planning a series of votes on China-related bills in late September, now called “China Week.” The legislation is expected to be voted on individually to facilitate bipartisan support.
This update comes after House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said last month that Congress is working to “build our sanctions package, punish the Chinese military firms that provide material support to Russia and Iran, and … [is] consider[ing] options to restrict outbound investments in China.” Read the Hudson Institute event transcript for more details.
Trade Associations Call for a Full COAC Roster
August 14, 2024 – A coalition of more than 30 trade associations is urging government agencies and congressional committees to finalize the selection of members for the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC). The letter highlights that COAC is missing 11 members, hindering its ability to effectively represent the trade community. AAEI signed onto the letter. Read the letter.
BIS Proposes New Restrictions and Export Controls
August 14, 2024 – The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is asking for comments on proposed rules that would enhance “restrictions on exports, reexports, or support to military or intelligence end users and end uses in countries of concern.”
They include U.S. Person’s Activity Controls with expanded restrictions on U.S. persons’ support of foreign military, intelligence, and security services. The proposed rules also have End-Use and End-User Controls with expanded restrictions on all items subject to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).
The BIS proposed rules would also add new controls on facial recognition technologies that can enable mass surveillance. See the BIS news release.
BIS Expands EAR Foreign Direct Product Rule for Iran
August 14, 2024 – President Biden signed a law in April requiring stricter export controls on certain foreign-made items destined for Iran. The law expands the scope of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) Foreign Direct Product rule for Iran and applicable license requirements. The rule became effective July 23, 2024. Read BIS’s notice here.
