Exports of agricultural commodities, medicines and medical devices to Cuba consistent with the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 will be expressly exempt from the Trump administration’s policy to ban sales to entities under the control or that act on behalf of the Cuban military or intelligence service, according to a June 16 White House policy memo (here). Among other things, the 2000 statute bans U.S. financing of agricultural exports to Cuba, except for pre-transport cash payments or payments from third-party financial institutions. President Donald Trump rolled out changes to U.S. economic policy toward Cuba on June 16, to include diversion of purchases away from the Cuban military while allowing U.S. individuals and entities to develop economic ties with the private small business sector in Cuba (see 1706160042).
President Donald Trump on June 15 sent to the Senate the nominations of Jeffrey Gerrish to serve as deputy U.S. trade representative for Asia, Europe, the Middle East and industrial competitiveness, and Kelly Craft to serve as U.S. ambassador to Canada, the White House announced (here).
President Donald Trump rolled out changes to U.S. economic policy toward Cuba on June 16, which will include diverting economic activities away from the “Cuban military monopoly,” while allowing U.S. individuals and entities to develop economic ties with the private small business sector in Cuba, according to a White House fact sheet. “President Trump’s policy changes will encourage American commerce with free Cuban businesses and pressure the Cuban government to allow the Cuban people to expand the private sector.” The policy directs the Commerce and Treasury departments to start within 30 days the process of issuing new regulations, a process that could take several months, the White House said.
President Donald Trump intends to nominate Kelly Knight Craft to serve as U.S. ambassador to Canada, the White House announced June 14. Craft currently leads Kelly G. Knight LLC, a business advisory firm.
President Donald Trump could announce the tightening of some commercial and travel restrictions with Cuba during a trip to Miami on June 14, the Miami Herald reported (here). A congressional staffer closely focused on Cuba matters said he believes Trump will follow through with such an announcement, which is likely to make use of advice from Cuba hard-liners Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., and Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. The announcement may result in the rollback of some regulatory liberalization of U.S.-Cuba relations shepherded through the final years of the Obama administration. The White House didn't comment.
President Donald Trump says he will nominate Jeffrey Gerrish to serve as deputy U.S. trade representative for Asia, Europe, the Middle East and industrial competitiveness, the White House announced June 9 (here). Gerrish is currently an attorney in Skadden Arps’ international trade group, and has “extensive experience litigating” disputes before the Commerce Department, International Trade Commission, federal courts, NAFTA binational panels and the World Trade Organization, the White House said.
President Donald Trump and Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc expressed a mutual desire to enhance trade ties, the White House said after a May 31 meeting there (here). The leaders also expressed an interest in resolving priority trade issues, including intellectual property rights issues, information-security products, white offal, distiller's dried grains, siluriformes, shrimp and mangoes, according to the statement. Some $8 billion in commercial deals were finalized on May 31, the Commerce Department said (here). “Today’s deals will expand our cooperation in multiple sectors, supporting U.S. exports and creating economic growth in both countries,” Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said in a statement. “They will also help the U.S. reduce our trade deficit with Vietnam.”
Leaders of the Group of 7 nations agreed to “keep our markets open and to fight protectionism,” while “standing firm” against unfair trade practices, according to language in a joint communique (here) published after the officials met May 26-27 in Taormina, Italy. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin blocked the adoption of a multilateral commitment to oppose protectionism in the Group of 20 international finance ministers’ joint communique following a March meeting in Germany (see 1703200010). The G7 language did state that trade “has not always worked to the benefit of everyone,” and leaders committed to “adopting appropriate policies” to help firms and individuals capitalize on global economic opportunities.
President Donald Trump sent the nomination of Richard Ashooh to serve as assistant secretary of commerce for export administration to the Senate, the White House announced May 25 (here). Ashooh is director of economic partnerships for the University System of New Hampshire.
President Donald Trump sent the nomination of Acting CBP Commissioner Kevin McAleenan to serve as CBP commissioner to the Senate, the White House said in a May 22 news release (here). McAleenan became acting deputy commissioner in 2013 and ascended to commissioner on an acting basis after Gil Kerlikowske stepped down with the change of administration in January (see 1611090035). Several industry groups as well as former Department of Homeland Security top officials praised the White House's March announcement that Trump intended to nominate McAleenan for the permanent leadership position (see 1703310040, 1704280031, 1704250016, 1704170014, and 1704100034).