As previously reported, the Obama Administration is actively continuing its rapprochement with Cuba, most recently removing Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism. However, despite this consistent push from the Administration and the strong interest of the U.S. business community to enter the Cuba market as quickly as…
President Obama and Republican House leaders are regrouping in an effort to put key trade legislation back on track after House Democrats voted against Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for workers displaced by global trade, a key part of the President’s trade agenda. The development threatens ultimate passage of the Trans-Pacific…
On Tuesday, June 8 in Pillsbury’s London office, Pillsbury and the Eurasia Group hosted the first event in their Sanctions & Market Opportunities Series entitled “Iran Sanctions, Investment and Trade: Preparing for Divergent Outcomes.” During the event, panelists discussed the likelihood for a final agreement related to Iran’s nuclear program…
[Originally appeared in Bloomberg BNA] Envelopes of cash. Vote rigging. Wiretapped recordings in 5-star hotel rooms. A dramatic early morning police raid coordinated between the FBI and Swiss law enforcement. An episode of the Sopranos? No, but it is a day in the life of FIFA. Last week’s revelation of…
The leaders of the G7 met for two days of discussions in Elmau, Southern Germany on 7 and 8 June 2015. High on the agenda was the issue of Russian targeted EU and US sanctions over Moscow’s role in support of Ukrainian rebels. Russia has already been excluded from what…
Today the State Department issued a press release announcing that the Secretary of State has finalized the removal of Cuba from the official U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism, effective May 29: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2015/05/242986.htm. Although this is an important step forward, it does not automatically eliminate any of the current…
Companies legitimately employing tools to test how vulnerable their computers and networks may be to cyber-attacks should take note of strict new export controls that may be on the horizon. Specifically, on May 20, 2015, the Commerce Department Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) proposed to establish controls on the…
U.S., EU and other sanctions and export control regimes continue to target the Russian defense and energy sectors, restricting access to both military and dual use items. This creates demand pressure on the Russia side and as a result potential added compliance risk for exporters. Companies often ask “what are…
On May 13, 2015 Senator Lisa Murkowski, Chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, introduced the Energy Supply and Distribution Act of 2015 (S.1312), which if enacted would lift the crude oil export ban. Co-sponsored with Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) and twelve Republicans, the bill would permit…
Congress is currently fiercely debating whether to grant the President fast track trade authority, allowing to him to finalize free trade agreements with the EU and a dozen Pacific Rim trading partners. While this debate caused President Obama to join with Republicans to overcome the objections of trade-skeptic Democrats, the…