The State Department is adding properties to its Cuba Prohibited Accommodations List and Cuban military-controlled hotels to its Cuba Restricted List. The Cuba Prohibited Accommodations List identifies entities subject to restrictions on lodging-related transactions under the Cuban Assets Control Regulations, while U.S. people are generally blocked from participating in "direct financial transactions" with the entities and subentities on the Cuba Restricted List. The additions took effect July 14.
The Bureau of Industry and Security is working on a new interim final rule that could make "revisions" to the Export Administration Regulations. The agency sent the rule for interagency review July 10. BIS didn't release more information.
The U.S. government, together with industry, needs to set clearer guardrails around sensitive technology shipments destined to China, two panelists said during an event on export controls last week. Another panelist questioned whether the Trump administration is willing to set tougher rules, saying Beijing appears to have recently gained extra leverage and adding that the U.S. has for years failed to deter companies from flouting restrictions against China.
The Bureau of Industry and Security recently updated its website to allow users to search through the Commerce Control List’s Export Control Classification Numbers by keywords. Users can search keywords across all ECCNs or within just one CCL category.
The Senate Appropriations Committee endorsed a proposal July 10 to urge the Bureau of Industry and Security to create a program to provide financial rewards to those who report illegal exports of advanced semiconductors and AI-enabling chips to “foreign adversaries.”
The Bureau of Industry and Security is progressing on a final rule that would relax certain export controls on Syria. BIS sent the rule for interagency review June 8, about a month after an agency official confirmed that BIS planned to lift some controls over the country (see 2506100052). President Donald Trump on June 30 authorized the "relaxation" of Syria-related export controls, specifically with respect to items on the Commerce Control List (see 2506300055).
Microsoft President Brad Smith this week warned the U.S. against introducing new export controls that could prevent American companies from becoming the world’s leading exporters of AI services, suggesting the Trump administration should instead look into expanding or replicating the AI deal it announced in May with the United Arab Emirates.
Beijing is following through on a trade agreement recently reached with Washington by approving license applications for certain exports to the U.S., a Ministry of Commerce spokesperson said July 4 in response to a reporter's question at a press conference, without providing specific details.
Companies should expect the Bureau of Industry and Security to continue a steady pace of penalties against export violators, particularly for cases involving semiconductors and other advanced technologies, said Gregory Dunlap, the former special agent in charge of the agency’s Los Angeles field office. And if Congress grants the agency’s request for more funding, Dunlap said, BIS could soon have the resources to more quickly carry out investigations and probe a greater number of exporters.
Three Senate Democrats urged the Trump administration July 3 to restart regular updates of sanctions and export controls against Chinese and other entities helping Russia’s war machine.