The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is soliciting comments on China's compliance with its World Trade Organization obligations. Comments and requests to testify at an Oct. 4 public hearing are due by 11:59 p.m. Sept. 20. The hearing begins at 9:30 a.m. Comments may be submitted at regulations.gov using Docket Number USTR–2023-0008.

The Bureau of Industry and Security is extending its public comment period for an information collection involving its “simple network application process” and “multipurpose application form.” The process and form allows exporters to submit license applications, commodity classification requests, encryption review requests and other “notifications” to BIS. Comments were previously due Aug. 11 (see 2306090018), but the agency is allowing for another 30 days.

The Federal Maritime Commission is investigating the Mediterranean Shipping Company for violating U.S. shipping regulations, including by using “overbroad” merchant clauses in its bills of lading, mishandling fees and failing to publish tariff rates. The agency may fine MSC if it determines the carrier violated the Shipping Act.

China is not convinced that the U.S. is only trying to derisk, not decouple, from China’s economy, said Ryan Hass, a former National Security Council official. He said Beijing is wary of the growing number of U.S. sanctions and trade restrictions and doesn’t believe the Biden administration is acting in “good faith,” which risks further worsening tensions.

The State Department Aug. 14 announced a new package of security aid for Ukraine, including air defense munitions, artillery rounds, anti-armor capabilities and mine-clearing equipment. The $200 million package is being "executed from previously authorized Presidential Drawdown Authority," the agency said.

USDA is advising vanilla extract exporters to stop shipping to the EU after the bloc introduced a new requirement that shippers may not be able to comply with. The EU’s new measure requires “guarantees” from the U.S. government that American vanilla extract shipments comply with the EU’s maximum residue levels of ethylene oxide, but USDA said it can’t provide those guarantees.

As the Biden administration this week marked the one-year anniversary of the enactment of the Chips Act, which provides incentives and funding opportunities for the chips sector, the semiconductor industry urged the White House and lawmakers to keep foreign markets open and “advance policies that enhance this historic accomplishment.”

The Transportation Security Administration is inviting shippers to join its Certified Cargo Screening Program ahead of a change in October that will eliminate certain air freight screening exemptions for cargo deemed ”impracticable to screen.” Shippers enrolled in the program will be allowed to “directly transfer cargo to an aircraft operator without requiring additional screening,” TSA said in a notice this week.

The Bureau of Industry and Security is seeking public comments on an information collection related to declaration forms submitted to the International Atomic Energy Agency. The forms provide the IAEA with information on commercial nuclear and nuclear-related items, materials and activities, including imports and exports. Comments are due Oct. 10.

The Commerce Department is seeking public comments on an information collection involving its annual survey of foreign direct investment in the U.S. The survey provides “reliable, useful, and timely measures” of FDI to the government to allow it to assess the impact of the investment on the U.S. economy. In a change made last year, the survey’s BE15A form will no longer include the “expensed petroleum and mining expenditures item.” Commerce said the item “is not a good fit conceptually as a component of property, plant, and equipment (capital) expenditures.” Comments are due Oct. 10.