Russia imposed a travel ban June 6 on another 61 U.S. citizens in response to U.S. sanctions, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced, according to an unofficial translation. Listed are Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, along with other American officials and businesspeople in the media, finance, aviation and shipping sectors.
The EU adopted a European Council decision and regulation asking member states to implement "appropriate measures" to confiscate proceeds of sanctions infringements "in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine." The decisions tack on an amendment to Article 2 of the EU's Russia sanctions regime that freezes all funds belonging to or held by any listed individual or entities.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control on June 9 published new Russia-related frequently asked questions to clarify which activities are prohibited by its restrictions surrounding accounting, corporate formation and management consultant services (see 2205090042).
Amid the rapid pace of Russia-related sanctions and export controls, regulators around the world are sometimes struggling or unwilling to provide timely and clear answers to industry questions about the trade restrictions, lawyers said. The issue is especially problematic in Europe, they said, where sanctions guidance may differ among the 27 EU member states and U.K. general licenses can be delayed or unhelpful.
A group of European countries not in the EU aligned with the EU's recent sanctions decisions under the bloc's South Sudan and cyberattack sanctions regime, the European Council announced. In May, the council updated its list of individuals subject to the South Sudan restrictions. North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Ukraine and Moldova then aligned with the decision, the council said June 7. Under the regime targeting cyberattacks against the EU, the council extended the restrictive measures for three years, until May 18, 2025. North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Norway and Ukraine aligned with the decision, the council said.
The Bureau of Industry and Security is seeking public comments by Aug. 8 on an information collection related to its export control seminars. The collection deals with voluntary surveys submitted to BIS for its seminars, which helps give the agency feedback on how it can improve its “course offerings to meet the needs of the exporting community.”
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., is proposing a limited carbon tax on firms that are dirtier than average in about a dozen industries, and a carbon border tax on imports in those industries that are also above those benchmarks. The fee would start in 2024, for fossil fuel producers, refiners of petroleum products, petrochemicals manufacturers, fertilizer producers, hydrogen producers, adipic acid processors, cement producers, iron and steelmakers, aluminum producers, glass producers, pulp and paper plants, and ethanol producers. According to a press release from Whitehouse.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control issued a final rule this week that will officially loosen some Trump-era restrictions on Cuba, including on certain remittances to the island (see 2009230029 and 2010230024). The changes, previewed by the administration in May (see 2205170004) and effective June 9, will amend the Cuban Assets Control Regulations by removing the limit on family remittances of $1,000 per quarter. It will also authorize donative remittances to Cuba, remove restrictions on certain "academic educational activities," and allow travel to Cuba related to educational groups or professional meetings or conferences. The rule also made technical changes to the CACR by adding and updating "several cross references."
The EU updated its frequently asked questions pages relating to its Russia sanctions regime for a host of topics. The new guidance relates to public procurement, aviation, credit rating, deposits, insurance and reinsurance, state-owned enterprises, customs-related matters and circumvention and due diligence.
After receiving criticism this week for its lack of progress in a possible investigation of illegal exports to Huawei, a Bureau of Industry and Security spokesperson said the agency is “committed to fully investigating any allegation” of violations of the foreign direct product rule, including illegal shipments to the Chinese technology giant. The agency has come under criticism for not yet penalizing Seagate Technologies for potentially illegally exporting goods to Huawei (see 2206070011).