The Netherlands on Jan. 15 announced expanded export controls to cover more advanced semiconductor equipment, a move the country’s foreign ministry said is necessary to address increasing “security risks associated with the uncontrolled export of these technologies.”
A list published this week by the Institute for Financial Integrity outlines red flags that may signal a bank’s customer or counterparty is a shell company working to evade export control regulations.
The State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls published a list this week of commodity jurisdiction (CJ) determinations for items controlled under U.S. Munitions List Category XXI, which covers defense articles and services “not otherwise enumerated” under other USML categories.
The Biden administration’s upcoming AI chip-related export controls likely will upset key U.S. allies, especially the EU, by reinforcing the notion that the U.S. relies too heavily on extraterritorial controls and is “hellbent” on maintaining American technology leadership, the Center for European Policy Analysis said this week.
The Biden administration has revised its policy guidance for missile technology exports to streamline defense trade with close allies while renewing its commitment to global nonproliferation efforts, the White House said Jan. 7.
The Bureau of Industry and Security has completed a round of interagency review for a new interim final rule that’s expected to place new export controls on advanced AI-related chips. The rule, “Export Control Framework for Artificial Intelligence Diffusion,” was sent for interagency review Dec. 9 and the review was completed Jan. 7. The upcoming restrictions have received criticism from at least one major technology company and two industry groups for being overbroad (see 2501060015 and 2501080034).
The U.S. and France held the third Defense Trade Strategic Dialogue in Paris last month, the State Department said Jan. 6, where the two sides discussed increasing market access for defense firms and improving “the efficiency and effectiveness of export controls.” Working groups during the meeting discussed export regulations, international export control regimes and other similar issues, the agency said, although it didn’t provide specific details. “The international context and the new strategic challenges facing our countries require close coordination on international armaments issues, open dialogue to ensure efficient defense trade between our nations and the implementation of effective export controls by both countries.”
U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan discussed export control topics with several senior Indian officials, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as part of a broader meeting on technology issues Jan. 6 in New Delhi, the White House said.
China’s Ministry of Commerce this week published proposed updates to its list of technologies subject to export controls, including new and revised restrictions on technology used to make battery parts and process certain critical minerals, according to an unofficial translation. If China moves forward with the controls, it would further restrict critical minerals such as lithium and gallium along with the technology used to process them, Reuters reported Jan. 2. The controls are reportedly open for public comment until Feb. 1.
The Bureau of Industry and Security on Jan. 2 published its annual export enforcement year in review, outlining the various penalties it imposed, indictments and guilty pleas it helped bring, guidance documents it issued and Entity List additions during 2024. The summary highlights enforcement actions against China, Russia and Iran; the due diligence best practices and recommendations BIS issued to exporters, financial institutions, and academia; export control-related partnerships the U.S. formed with trading partners; and more.