On November 15, 2018, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned 17 officials of the Government of Saudi Arabia for their purported role in the killing of journalist Jamal...more
On November 5, 2018, OFAC announced a large number of Iran-related sanctions designations and issued guidance on the end of the 180-day wind down period. ...more
The Committee on Foreign Investments in the United States (CFIUS) is an inter-agency committee designed to review foreign investments that raise national security concerns. While you may have seen CFIUS play a role in prior...more
The U.S. Department of the Treasury issued temporary regulations establishing a partial pilot program implementing two key changes to the jurisdiction and review of transactions by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the...more
While there is increasing scrutiny, transactions continue to be reviewed and cleared by CFIUS, even where a Chinese entity is involved.
Upcoming legislative changes will expand the definition of a “covered transaction”...more
On August 6, 2018, the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) released a new Executive Order to implement the previously announced re-imposition of U.S. sanctions for Iran. ...more
House and Senate negotiators have agreed on proposed reforms to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) foreign investment review process, which has been added as Title XVII of the FY2019 National...more
Hundreds of American companies may have inadvertently become “foreign persons” for CFIUS purposes, at risk of being caught up in the Trump Administration’s restrictions on foreign investment.
Many people know that the...more
7/9/2018
/ Acquisitions ,
CFIUS ,
Corporate Counsel ,
Covered Transactions ,
Cross-Border Transactions ,
FINSA ,
Foreign Acquisitions ,
Foreign Investment ,
Foreign Persons ,
Joint Venture ,
Merger Controls ,
National Security ,
National Security Review Proceedings ,
Risk Mitigation
Last week, the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act, H.R. 5515 (NDAA). The Senate version contains several differences from the NDAA as passed by the House, and these discrepancies...more
Last week, the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act, H.R. 5515 (NDAA). The Senate version contains several differences from the NDAA as passed by the House, and these discrepancies...more
There are several legislative proposals pending in Congress targeting trade and investment involving China. If enacted, the proposals would prevent Chinese entities from acquiring certain U.S. technologies, prohibit U.S....more
Today, President Trump announced his intention to withdraw the United States from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and to impose the “highest level of economic sanctions” on Iran. The Office of Foreign Assets...more
Recent reports suggest that the Administration may declare an emergency under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to grant the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) authority to...more
“Dozens of Transactions Were Cleared” -
Contrary to popular belief, most China-U.S.deals are still getting done. Even the Trump Administration recognizes CFIUS should not close the door to investment from China. The...more
4/11/2018
/ CFIUS ,
China ,
Critical Infrastructure Sectors ,
Department of Defense (DOD) ,
Foreign Acquisitions ,
Foreign Investment ,
Mergers ,
National Security ,
Risk Assessment ,
Section 301 ,
Trade Relations ,
Trump Administration ,
USTR
The Treasury Department has placed several prominent Russian individuals and companies on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons lists (“SDN list”). Several of these parties are Russian billionaires previously...more
No, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States has not put a halt to acquisitions of U.S. companies by China-based purchasers.
Three recently cleared transactions illustrate that CFIUS is not standing in the...more
2/13/2018
/ Acquisitions ,
CFIUS ,
China ,
Cross-Border Transactions ,
Foreign Acquisitions ,
Foreign Investment ,
Hong Kong Stock Exchange ,
Manufacturers ,
Mergers ,
National Security ,
Proposed Legislation ,
Publicly-Traded Companies ,
Risk Assessment ,
Subsidiaries ,
Trump Administration
On December 20, 2017, President Trump issued Executive Order 13818 (the “E.O.”) implementing provisions of the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act (“Global Magnitsky Act”) (enacted into law in December 2016),...more
On November 8, 2017, members of the U.S. House and Senate introduced companion legislation that would update the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (“CFIUS”) and the national security review process. The bill,...more
Following President Trump’s trip to Asia, sanctions policies for North Korea continue to evolve. The U.S. government has strengthened sanctions through legislation and Presidential Executive Orders. Further, it is enforcing...more
On November 8, 2017, the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) and the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) announced amendments to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations...more
Effective October 12, 2017, the Sudanese Sanctions Regulations (SSR) have been revoked in recognition of the Government of Sudan’s (GOS) sustained positive actions in stopping conflict and improving humanitarian access in...more
President Trump issued an Executive Order prohibiting the proposed acquisition of Lattice Semiconductor (Lattice) by a Chinese consortium known as Canyon Bridge. Lattice is a semiconductor company primarily manufacturing...more
Today, President Trump issued an Executive Order (E.O.) providing for sanctions against the Government of Venezuela. The sanctions are structured similar to existing sectoral sanctions on the Russian petroleum sector and...more
Recent public reports indicate Senate Chuck Schumer (D-NY), the Senate Democratic Leader, has authored a letter to President Trump requesting the President order the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States...more
On July 11, 2017, the President issued an Executive Order (E.O.) extending the review period for the possible permanent revocation of sanctions on Sudan for an additional three months.
On January 13, 2017, then-President...more