The latest on Russia sanctions from the International Trade and Supply Chain Team
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According to recent reports, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) has stopped granting export licenses to Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. (“Huawei”).

The U.S. government has long sought to restrict Huawei’s access to advanced U.S. computer chips used to power 5G networks and related technological applications. Under the current export restrictions against Huawei, BIS still had been granting certain export license requests for items falling below the 5G capability threshold, such as items designed for 4G application, WiFi 6 and 7, and certain cloud-computing items. For example, BIS previously permitted companies such as Qualcomm and Intel to sell certain chips to Huawei in 2020.

Now, U.S. suppliers likely can expect most, if not all, Huawei-related license applications to be denied, as the Biden Administration seeks to completely close off the Chinese telecom’s access to U.S. technology.

BIS originally added Huawei to its Entity List in May 2019 based on its determination that it had reason to believe Huawei was engaged in activities contrary to U.S. national security or foreign policy interests. The Entity List designation imposed a license requirement on exports, re-exports, or in-country transfers to Huawei and its worldwide, non-U.S. affiliates for of all items “subject to the EAR.” BIS issued a temporary general license for certain Huawei shipments in May 2019 as previously reported here.  BIS reviews any license requests under a presumption of denial.

Following the Entity List designation, BIS also enacted its Foreign Direct Product Rule (15 C.F.R. § 734.9) in May 2020, and amended in August 2020, aimed specifically at cutting off Huawei’s access to foreign items produced abroad using U.S. technology or software. BIS has since expanded its Foreign Direct Product Rule beyond Huawei and China to Russia and Belarus.

The policy shift regarding certain export licenses for Huawei, which the U.S. government suspects to be an arm of the Chinese Communist Party, appears part of the ongoing trade tensions with China and the U.S. government’s larger efforts to maintain its technology advantage. Indeed, this latest move also follows reports earlier in the week that the Biden administration is weighing entire sector-wide bans on U.S. investment in certain high-tech industries in China.

Husch Blackwell’s Export Controls and Economic Sanctions Team continues to closely monitor all international trade and export controls developments concerning China and will provide further updates as conditions change.  Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact Cortney MorganGrant LeachEric Dama or Emily Mikes of our Export Controls and Economic Sanctions Team.

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Photo of Cortney Morgan Cortney Morgan

An experienced attorney in the area of international trade and supply chain issues, Cortney advises foreign and domestic clients on all aspects of international trade regulation, planning and compliance, including import (customs), export controls, economic sanctions, embargoes, international trade agreements and preference programs.

Photo of Grant Leach Grant Leach

Grant focuses his practice on international trade, international compliance, securities, mergers, acquisitions and general corporate matters.

Photo of Eric Dama Eric Dama

With a strong investigative background, Eric represents clients in labor and employment litigation and compliance investigations.

Eric divides his practice between traditional labor and employment litigation and compliance work. He has represented clients in both nationwide collective action and single-plaintiff cases involving federal

With a strong investigative background, Eric represents clients in labor and employment litigation and compliance investigations.

Eric divides his practice between traditional labor and employment litigation and compliance work. He has represented clients in both nationwide collective action and single-plaintiff cases involving federal and state discrimination and retaliation laws, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), whistleblowers, non-competition agreements and trade secrets, and other statutes and regulatory bodies.

Alongside his litigation work, Eric also leads clients through internal and external investigations, as well as internal compliance and training programs. He has investigated and evaluated compliance with U.S. export controls, trade sanctions, cross-border enforcement, and matters involving the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and the U.S. Department of Justice. Eric was a member of the court-appointed legal team tasked with monitoring a global technology company in one of the largest corporate compliance monitorships in U.S. history.

Before pursuing a legal career, Eric trained as a journalist—a background that helped him develop the skills that he regularly deploys not only in investigation work, but also when digging into the cases he represents. Eric aims to learn as much as possible about the client and the client’s business and industry, describing himself as insatiably curious.

Eric began his legal career at an employee-side labor and employment firm, an advantageous experience he draws on in counseling and, when necessary, litigation. Known as an excellent listener willing to think outside the box, Eric understands that clients may have different measures for success. His central focus is always on achieving the client’s goals and reaching the best resolution possible.

Photo of Emily Mikes Emily Mikes

At Husch Blackwell, Emily focuses on export controls, economic sanctions and related government investigations. She advises clients in a wide array of industries on the specifics of trade regulations, analyzing the effects of rules and restrictions on businesses as they import and export…

At Husch Blackwell, Emily focuses on export controls, economic sanctions and related government investigations. She advises clients in a wide array of industries on the specifics of trade regulations, analyzing the effects of rules and restrictions on businesses as they import and export goods and materials.