On March 26, 2021, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) posted an advance copy of a Federal Register notice terminating, as of March 26, 2021, the Section 301 investigations of Digital Services Taxes (DSTs) under consideration by Brazil, the Czech Republic, the European Union, and Indonesia because these jurisdictions either have not adopted or not implemented a DST during the period of investigation. As of March 25, 2021, Brazil, the Czech Republic,…
On 22 March 2021, the EU imposed restrictive measures on eleven individuals and four entities in relation to alleged human rights violations, including: four individuals and one company with links to the large-scale arbitrary detentions of Uyghurs in Xinjiang;two individuals and one company in the DPRK, responsible for implementing repressive security policies and other human rights violations;two officials in Libya and the armed Libyan militia, responsible for serious human rights abuses including extrajudicial killings;two Russian individuals involved in violations of LGBTI…
Further to our previous blog post, the EU has responded to the recent military coup in Myanmar with restrictive measures on eleven individuals. This adds to pre-existing restrictive measures that have been in place since April 2018, as detailed in our previous blog post. These measures included an embargo on arms and equipment that can be used for internal repression, an export ban of dual use goods for use by the military and border guard police, and export restrictions…
In an 18 March 2021 statement released by the German Foreign Ministry, the Group of Seven (G7) nations have announced that they remain fully committed to the implementation of sanctions on Russia over the annexation of the Crimean Peninsula. The group’s Foreign Ministers also reaffirmed their unwavering support for and commitment to the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and denounced
The EU is reportedly set to approve its first round of sanctions against officials responsible for the military coup in Myanmar on 22 March 2021. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian confirmed this was on the agenda at the next meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council whilst addressing the French Senate earlier this week. Whilst technical discussions are being finalised in Brussels, it is understood that the measures will target companies “generating revenue for,…
The EU and the US are committed to reach a comprehensive and durable negotiated solution to the Aircraft disputes. Key elements of a negotiated solution will include disciplines on future support in this sector, outstanding support measures, monitoring and enforcement, and addressing the trade distortive practices of and challenges posed by new entrants to the sector from non-market economies, such as China. “These steps signal the determination of both sides to embark on a fresh…
On March 12, 2021, CBP issued CSMS #46590066 – GUIDANCE: Suspension of EU Duties in Section 301 Action: Enforcement of U.S. World Trade Organization (WTO) Rights in Large Civil Aircraft Dispute, reproduced below: The purpose of this message is to provide notice of the United States Trade Representative’s (USTR) determination to temporarily suspend additional duties on products of the European Union (EU) under the Section 301 Large Civil Aircraft (LCA) Dispute. The suspension is effective…
On March 8, 2021, the Acting US Trade Representative announced the conclusion of negotiations with the European Union on adjustments to the EU’s WTO tariff rate quotas (TRQ) as a consequence of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU. The agreement, after two years of negotiations under WTO procedures, will determine how to split TRQ quantities between the EU-27 and the United Kingdom (UK). The agreement will be signed and implemented after formal approval procedures…
On 12 March 2021, the Official Journal published Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/442 of 11 March 2021 making the exportation of certain products subject to the production of an export authorisation, which requires an export authorisation to export (or re-export after such goods have been subject to manufacturing operations including filling and packaging within the customs territory of the Union) vaccines against SARS-related coronaviruses (SARS-CoV species) currently falling under CN code 3002 20 10, irrespective of their packaging…
On 11 March 2021, the Official Journal published Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/425 of 9 March 2021 suspending commercial policy measures concerning certain products from the United States of America imposed by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1646 following the adjudication of a trade dispute under the Dispute Settlement Understanding of the World Trade Organization, which suspends commercial policy measures adopted in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1646 concerning certain products from the United States following the adjudication of the…