Author: Poblete Tamargo LLP

“This is an important first step towards creating a system that addresses the serious threats we face in today’s changing economic and technological landscape. This new license exception will eliminate the need for U.S. exporters to seek licenses in nearly 3,000 types of transactions annually, affecting an estimated $1.4 billion in goods and technology,” Locke said. “The new license exception will allow us to focus our resources on items that pose a significant national security risk and help facilitate U.S. exports,” added Locke.

Under the new exception, exports of a large amount of controlled items to more than thirty trade partners will not need a license. However, exporters will still need to secure assurances from the end-user that it will not sell or share the technology. The new rule was published in the Federal Register.

The original co-sponsors of this legislation include the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.), Reps. Albio Sires (D-New Jersey), Connie Mack (R-Fla.), Gerald E. Connolly (D-Va.), Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.), David Rivera (R-Fla.), and Allen B. West (R-Fla.).

Four Congressional Committees will consider the measure including the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the House Financial Services Committee, the House Judiciary Committee, and the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. The bill would amend the Cuban Liberty and Solidarity Act of 1996.

Once the bill is available from the Government Printing Office, we will update this post. 

In yesterday’s Federal Register, the State Department published a notice that the following countries are not cooperating fully with U.S. antiterrorism efforts:

1. Cuba
2. Eritrea
3. Iran
4. Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
5. Syria, and
6. Venezuela.

The notice can be downloaded here.