The State Department approved four separate potential military sales -- to the Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Australia -- worth about $2 billion combined, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said July 21.

The Los Angeles and Long Beach ports again postponed by a week a new surcharge meant to incentivize the movement of dwelling containers (see 2110280031), the two ports announced July 22. The ports had planned to begin imposing the fee in November 2021 but have postponed it each week since. The latest extension delays the effective date until July 29.

The U.S. is increasingly struggling to attract greenfield foreign direct investment, which has fallen by more than 90% since the 1990s, the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation said in a July report. ITIF, citing data recently released by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, said foreign companies appear to be less willing to build new facilities or expand existing ones in the U.S.

The State Department approved two potential military sales, to the United Arab Emirates and Belgium, worth more than $1 billion combined, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said July 19.

The Bureau of Industry and Security is looking to hire new investigators, engineers, trade specialists, analysts, enforcement and compliance officials and others, the agency said this week. Interested applicants should submit a resume and other “required documents” to workforceplanning@bis.doc.gov.

The State Department approved four separate potential military sales -- to Taiwan, South Korea, Norway and Estonia -- worth more than $1.5 billion combined, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said July 15.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo will co-host a livestreamed Supply Chain Ministerial Forum July 19-20. Blinken will deliver opening remarks July 20, beginning at 9 a.m. EDT, followed by Raimondo. Other State and Commerce officials will make remarks on July 19. Stakeholders from industry, labor and civil society will get a chance to talk about supply chain challenges.

The National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America recently updated its U.S. Principal Party in Interest Responsibility Information Sheet and its Shipper’s Letter of Instruction (SLI) Model, the group said in a July 18 email to members. Forwarders can distribute the USPPI sheet to help their export customers better understand their exporting responsibilities, including commodity jurisdiction issues, due diligence requirements and export filing mandates. The updated SLI model focuses on the fields needed to submit Electronic Export Information and comply with export control requirements, NCBFAA said.

The Los Angeles and Long Beach ports again postponed by a week a new surcharge meant to incentivize the movement of dwelling containers (see 2110280031), the two ports announced July 15. The ports had planned to begin imposing the fee in November 2021 but have postponed it each week since. The latest extension delays the effective date until July 22.

The State Department’s Overseas Security Advisory Council will hold a closed meeting Nov. 17 to discuss “corporate security policies” involving trade secrets and proprietary commercial information. The council also will discuss “law enforcement investigative techniques and procedures” and will hear reports on global threats and “other matters relating to private sector security policies and protective programs and the protection of U.S. business information overseas.” The meeting previously was scheduled for Nov. 15.