The U.S. should make export control harmonization a priority as it pursues its Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, ensuring that any restrictions are aligned with member countries and not unfairly hampering American companies, U.S. trade groups told the Commerce Department in comments released this week (see 2203140018). The U.S. could even use the IPEF to create a new multilateral export control regime, some groups said, which could specifically focus on semiconductor equipment or other advanced technologies.

Some U.S. export control policies are hindering the American semiconductor sector and chip innovation, technology companies and trade groups told the Commerce Department in recent comments (see 2201210024). Commerce can take steps to ease compliance challenges, including around deemed export controls, and make sure to propose narrow and multilateral emerging and foundational technology controls, the commenters said.

The EU officially adopted its fifth round of sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, banning the import or transfer of Russian coal and other solid fossil fuels. The EU ramped up pressure on Russia following atrocities committed in the Ukrainian city of Bucha, the European Council said April 8.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and his Mexican counterpart said they have a plan to finalize "expanded access to the entire Mexican market no later than May 15 for all U.S. table stock and chipping potatoes according to the agreed workplan."

Paul Rosen, President Joe Biden's nominee to head the Treasury Department’s foreign investment screening efforts (see 2203090015), said he will continue to prioritize U.S. reviews of China-related transactions and wants to better encourage companies to submit voluntary filings. If confirmed, Rosen also said, he will focus on helping allies bolster their own investment screening regimes.

The Bureau of Industry and Security is seeking public comments to help inform the U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council's Secure Supply Chains Working Group. BIS said it’s specifically seeking feedback on how to “advance supply chain resilience and security in key sectors,” including semiconductors, solar photovoltaics, critical minerals and materials and pharmaceuticals. The agency is “particularly interested” in comments from foreign and domestic entities that “actively participate” in supply chains involving semiconductors, solar photovoltaics, critical minerals and pharmaceuticals. Comments are due May 23.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced in an April 5 speech in Strasbourg the scope of the EU's fifth round of sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, according to prepared remarks. The sanctions consist of "six pillars" along with a host of restrictions on individuals close to the Russian regime.

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Apple is considering incorporating chips made by Yangtze Memory Technologies Co., Bloomberg reported March 30, a Chinese state-owned company that some lawmakers say should be placed on the Commerce Department’s Entity list. Apple is exploring placing YMTC memory chips into its iPhones after one of its key suppliers in Japan, Kioxia Holdings Corp., “lost a batch of output to contamination” in February, the report said. Apple is “keen to diversify its network and offset the risk of further disruption from the pandemic and shipping snarls,” the report said, and is now testing sample NAND flash memory chips made by YMTC.

The Treasury Department this week expanded its sanctions authorities to cover Russia’s aerospace, electronics and marine sectors, building on an April 2021 executive order that targeted the country’s defense and technology sectors (see 2104150019). Treasury also announced a host of new designations against Russian people and entities, including the country’s largest chip maker.