Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash) has raised serious concerns over the potential consequences of the Trump-Johnson full-year Continuing Resolution (CR), particularly its impact on U.S. export controls and the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). The proposed legislation, set for a vote this week, grants the Trump administration broad discretion over federal spending, eliminating congressional directives that typically ensure funding for critical national security priorities, including sanctions, export controls, non-proliferation and emerging technology policy.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly emerged as a transformative technology with significant implications for economic growth, scientific advancement, and national security. The U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), along with its Emerging Technology Technical Advisory Committee (ETTAC), has been evaluating the implications of AI export controls. A March 10 ETTAC public meeting highlighted some of the challenges, strategies, and policy directions to manage the proliferation of AI-related technologies while defending the West’s competitive edge.
President Donald Trump has issued contradictory signals regarding sanctions on Russia, simultaneously threatening punitive economic measures while reportedly exploring avenues for relief. On Friday, Trump warned of large-scale banking sanctions, tariffs, and additional economic penalties on Moscow in an effort to push Russia and Ukraine toward a peace settlement. Despite his threats of increased economic pressure on Russia, reports indicate that the Trump administration is simultaneously considering sanction relief.
In a further sign of the Trump White House's rapprochement with the Kremlin, The Treasury and Department of State have been ordered to compile a list of sanctions to be lifted. Europe may soon find itself enforcing measures against Moscow alone.
The White House having declared a policy of indifference to foreign corrupt practices, Justice officials abruptly scrubbed plans to participate in the American Bar Association's annual Conference on White Collar Crime in Miami. In a related development, two former Cognizant Technology Solutions executives charged over an alleged foreign bribery scheme may get a reprieve, as the newly installed US attorney for New Jersey, John Giordano asked the judge for a six-month extension “to allow sufficient time for my consideration” of the Executive Order. Two weeks earlier, the US Attorney’s office had indicated to the court that it was prepared to proceed with the trial.
President Trump announced the creation of a new Office of Shipbuilding in the White House to boost the U.S. defense industrial base. The administration will resurrect the American shipbuilding industry, including commercial shipbuilding and military shipbuilding, he said. The order reportedly includes measures ranging from raising revenue from fees on Chinese-built ships and cranes entering the U.S., to establishing a new office at the National Security Council to strengthen the domestic maritime sector.
Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions on seven senior members of Ansarallah, commonly known as the Houthis, for their roles in smuggling military-grade weapons into Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and negotiating arms procurement deals with Russia. Additionally, OFAC has designated a Houthi-affiliated operative and his company for recruiting Yemeni civilians to fight for Russia in Ukraine, generating revenue to support Houthi militant operations.
The Treasury announced legislative and public affairs appointments Friday, drawing from political appointees from the previous Trump administration and Republican congressional staff.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent discussed the President's policies with Larry Kudlow at The Economic Club of New York event on March 6, 2025. "The president has already begun a campaign to rebalance the international economic system," he asserted. "Perhaps we are seeing an early big win with Germany's discussions to dramatically boost its military spending."
Still harboring a grudge dating back nine years, the President announced that a law firm that worked for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential campaign will be sanctioned, as he finds "good cause to conclude that they neither have access to our Nation’s secrets nor be deemed responsible stewards of any Federal funds." According to The Washington Post, "the move could have a chilling effect on law firms’ willingness to take on clients and cases that run counter to the Trump administration, challenging a fundamental tenet of the rule of law in the United States that everyone should have access to legal representation."
Tuesday Beijing announced several export control and sanctiosn measures on US firms, including the addition of 10 U.S. firms to China’s Unreliable Entity List, and restrictions on certain U.S. companies in the high-tech sector. Firms added to the Unreliable Entity List are added for their involvement in arming the Taipei government, while the Export Control List entries are prohibited from importing dual-use items from the PRC.
China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) announced on Tuesday that it has launched an anti-circumvention investigation into certain optical fiber products imported from the US, marking the first time that China has initiated such an investigation. The ministry said in a notice that it has learned that relevant fiber optic products are suspected of circumventing China's anti-dumping measures, and it initiated the probe at the request of domestic industries. Based on the investigation's findings, a decision will be made on whether to impose anti-circumvention measures against the US, the notice said.
The growing number of aerospace smuggling cases reflects a broad and deep crisis within Russia's civilian airline industry, which has been under sweeping US and European sanctions since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. RFE/RL Correspondent Todd Prince reports on the efforts of Russian airlines to stretch aircraft lifespans by smuggling certified parts from the United States and Europe unofficial sources, resorting to unofficial maintenance checks and reducing flight frequency.
The President on Saturday signed an executive order to expedite logging on federal lands and launched an investigation that could lead to higher tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber. The executive order, titled Immediate Expansion of American Timber Production, directs federal agencies to streamline the permitting process for timber harvesting on public lands. Alongside this initiative, the president instructed Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to initiate a Section 232 investigation into the national security implications of lumber imports. Canadian softwood lumber imports to the U.S. are already subject to a 14.5% combined tariff, including both anti-dumping and countervailing duties. A proposed 25% tariff increase, if implemented, would raise the total levy to nearly 40%, potentially leading to higher lumber prices and construction costs across the country.
Our companion Washington Tariff & Trade Letter provides a weekly digest and analysis of Trade Security topics, as well as a deeper discussion of Tariffs, which are of growing interest to all practitioners. For a complimentary trial subscription to the WTTL, just drop us a line at info@exportprac.com.
Here's an update on Staffing and Enforcement developments, coming fast and furious with Trump 2.0. Our companion Washington Tariff & Trade Letter provides a weekly digest and analysis of Trade Security topics, as well as a deeper discussion of Tariffs, which are of growing interest to all practitioners. For a complimentary trial subscription to the WTTL, just drop us a line at info@exportprac.com.
Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has sanctioned six entities based in Hong Kong and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) for procuring unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) components on behalf of Iranian drone builder PKGB. This action builds upon prior designations, including those in February 2024 targeting Hong Kong-based procurement networks working for PKGB. The latest measures are part of efforts to disrupt PKGB’s attempts to reestablish supply chains and continue obtaining critical UAV parts from foreign sources.
The World Trade Organization completed its review of Ukraine’s trade policy and practices last week, releasing a report highlighting the countries resilience in the face Russia’s full-scale invasion which began three years ago. The accompanying resolution condemning the Kremlin’s aggression was adopted by 54 WTO members, although the U.S. delegation abstained, reflecting Washington’s changed allegiances in the conflict.
The Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued a release describing changes finalized at the FATF plenary meeting in Paris February 21. After an extensive public consultation, the Plenary agreed changes to the FATF Standards to better support a risk-based approach and financial inclusion, a key priority under the Mexican Presidency. It also finalised important work on combating financial flows related to online child sexual exploitation, with a report approved for publication next month, aiming to protect children from harm. The Treasury announcement focussed on the monitoring of high-risk jurisdictions in particular DPRK, Burmese and Iranian transactions.
Peter Harrell, Non-Resident Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment, attorney, and host of the Security Economics Podcast shared with us his take on the anticipated timeline for upcoming tariff and trade actions under the Trump administration. While some dates are speculative and all are subject to change, the following milestones are expected: