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Global Trade & Sanctions Law

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U.S. and EU Ease Belarus-Related Sanctions on Certain Key Individuals and Entities

On October 29, 2015, the U.S. and the EU took separate actions to ease their respective Belarus-related sanctions programs for six months. These measures follow the October 11, 2015 reelection of Alexander Lukashenko as President of Belarus, the regime’s decision to release certain political prisoners and hopes for an improvement…

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DOJ Steps Up Wood Imports Enforcement: Lumber Liquidators $13 Million Lacey Act Settlement

Importers of wood products should take note of the Justice Department’s first wood-related criminal conviction under the Lacey Act, which prohibits trade in illegally harvested plants or wildlife, and requires import declarations for certain products. On October 7, 2015, Lumber Liquidators pleaded guilty to five criminal counts, including entry by…

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Iran and Adoption Day – What We Learned and What We Did Not

On October 18, 2015, both the United States and the European Union took action to prepare for future changes to sanctions policy which will be effective upon IAEA verification of Iran’s commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).  This was a required step under the JCPOA, termed “Adoption…

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Pillsbury Luncheon – Doing Business in Russia: Legal Developments and Compliance Considerations for U.S. Companies

Pillsbury and Goltsblat BLP are pleased to announce that Evgeny Shumilov, Economic Attaché, Embassy of the Russian Federation, will be participating in the October 21 luncheon and roundtable discussion on doing business in Russia.  Mr. Shumilov will open the event by discussing the state of U.S.-Russia trade and opportunities for…

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TPP NEGOTIATIONS FINISHED

On October 5, the trade ministers of the 12 nations participating in the negotiations announced that they had successfully concluded the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement. Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, United States, and Vietnam are the member countries. There is a…

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U.S. Government Continues to Relax Cuba Sanctions

On Monday, September 21, 2015, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) took coordinated action to further ease U.S. restrictions on trade with Cuba and Cuban nationals. OFAC amended the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR),…

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Key Issues to Watch as Iran Deal Clears Congressional Hurdle

Under the terms of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act, Congress had until September 18 to reject President Obama’s promised sanctions relief for Iran agreed to under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Although the House of Representatives voted to reject the deal, Senate Democrats blocked debate on a…

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Restrictions on Trade with Cuba Eased by EAR Amendments

On July 22, 2015, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) released amendments to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) implementing the Secretary of State’s May 29, 2015 decision to rescind the designation of Cuba as a State Sponsor of Terrorism. The removal of Cuba from Country Group…

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Iran Nuclear Agreement Announced: What Companies Need to Know

On July 14, 2015, representatives of the P5+1 countries reached an agreement with Iran on a “Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action” (JCPOA) regarding Iran’s Nuclear Program. Subject to review by several of the parties’ legislatures and after verification by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of steps to be taken…