Lithuania's customs agency fined an unnamed Lithuanian company over $357,000 for buying and importing goods from sanctioned Russian companies "Nizhnekamsktekhuglerod" and "Nizhnekamskneftekhim," according to an unofficial translation. The former is a technology company, the latter makes synthetic rubber and plastics.
The U.K. amended its definitions for "extraordinary situations and extraordinary expenses" under the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation's general sanctions guidance related to the agency's approach to licensing grounds.
A Swiss university said it’s reviewing any possible ongoing cooperation with Iranian researchers after United Against Nuclear Iran said the Iranian military is exploiting partnerships between Iranian universities and Swiss learning institutions to obtain sensitive research and technology (see 2405100023). A spokesperson for Switzerland-based University of Boras said the college “previously collaborated” with an Iranian university mentioned in UANI’s report, but that collaboration ended in 2022.
The European Council on May 14 broadened the scope of its sanctions framework on Iran due to that nation's support for Russia's war in Ukraine. The council expanded the bloc's ability to impose sanctions on not only unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) but "missiles too." The EU can now target individuals and entities "supplying, selling or otherwise being involved in transferring Iran's missiles and UAVs" in support of the war in Ukraine or used by armed groups that undermine security in the Middle East and Red Sea region. The council also barred the export of components used in the "development and production of UAVs from the EU to Iran."
The European Commission on May 14 extended its antidumping duties on birch plywood from Russia to cover goods from Kazakhstan and Turkey. The extension was made after an investigation showed that the duties were being circumvented by "imports transshipped from Russia" to Kazakhstan and Turkey, "or sent for final completion to these countries," before shipment to the EU. The commission said Russian birch plywood makers have been trying to find new ways to sell their goods since imports of birch plywood from Russia were banned after that country's invasion of Ukraine.
Laos formally accepted the World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies May 13, moving the total number of countries that have accepted the deal to 74. The WTO requires 36 more to reach the two-thirds threshold needed for full acceptance of the agreement to be able to enter into effect.
Multiple Switzerland-based universities defended their research security practices this week after United Against Nuclear Iran said the Iranian military is exploiting partnerships between Iranian universities and the Swiss learning institutions to obtain sensitive research and technology (see 2405100023).
The European Council on May 13 approved the suspension of import duties and quotas on exports from Ukraine and Moldova for another year, extending the measures for Ukraine until June 5, 2025, and for Moldova until July 25, 2025.
The U.K. High Court of Justice on May 10 made permanent a court order blocking sanctioned Russian entity VEB from taking a dispute with Barclays Bank to an arbitration court in Russia. The court rejected VEB's claim that British sanctions "frustrated" an arbitration agreement between the parties.
China voiced its opposition to the Bureau of Industry and Security's recent move to add 37 Chinese technology companies, manufacturing firms, research institutions and others to the Entity List (see 2405090023), saying Beijing will "safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies," according to an unofficial translation of a news release that highlights a response to a reporter's question at a Beijing press conference. A Chinese Ministry of Commerce spokesperson accused the U.S. of "overextending" its concept of national security and said it has "abused" its export control measures.