India lifted some export restrictions on certain medical and disposable gloves, its Directorate General of Foreign Trade said Oct. 22. The notice changes India’s export policy for the sale of “nitrile/NBR gloves” from “prohibited” to “restricted.”
China plans to release an initial list of items subject to export restrictions under its new export control law (see 2010190033), its Ministry of Commerce said Oct. 22. China already has controls in place for certain dual-use, nuclear and military-related items but plans to issue more restrictions to “better fulfill relevant international obligations, adapt to the needs of export control work under the new situation, and safeguard [China’s] national security,” a ministry spokesperson said, according to an unofficial translation. “We will further improve and release the control list in due course.” The spokesperson said China learned from and modeled its regime after “international practices” of other control lists, and received more than 250 comments from companies, law firms and government agencies.
Australia is subsidizing its mango sector to boost exports. The funding will go toward “freight flights” to help export mangoes to customers in the U.S., South Korea, China and the Middle East, Trade Minister Simon Birmingham said Oct. 22. “Growers have worked incredibly hard to secure export contracts and build a strong reputation for premium, safe and reliable produce that remains in high demand across the globe,” he said. “It would literally be a case of mango madness if Aussie export contracts were lost just because COVID-19 has grounded most flights.”
India lifted restrictions on exports of certain hand sanitizers, the country’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade said in an Oct. 15 notice. The move will remove all export restrictions from alcohol-based hand sanitizers “in containers with dispenser pumps.” India had announced the restrictions in June (see 2006010013).
China said the U.S. has been harassing and falsely arresting Chinese students at airports amid more U.S. export control oversight relating to university research. Nearly 300 students “experienced U.S. harassment and interrogation” from May to September, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Oct. 21. “Their cell phones, laptops and other personal belongings were arbitrarily examined and even seized,” the spokesperson said. “We lodged solemn representations with the U.S. side many times, urging it to correct mistakes and stop discriminatory behaviors against Chinese students.”
The Philippines customs authority recently issued new guidelines for refunds of duties and taxes and the issuance of tax credits for traders who have paid an excess of customs duties, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council reported Oct. 19. Traders must file refund claims within one year of the payment date for the duties, with claims to be paid within 60 days of document submission. The customs authority will not process refund claims for “purely internal revenue taxes,” including value-added taxes and excise taxes, which must be filed with the Philippines’ Bureau of Internal Revenue, the report said.
China said it may trade arms with Iran due now that the United Nations arms embargo has expired. It also criticized the U.S. for saying it will sanction countries that trade with Iran. “This is an important moment in the implementation process of the [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action],” a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Oct. 19. “China will continue handling arms trade in a prudent manner.”
China is “discouraging” its cotton mills from importing and using Australian cotton, two Australian cotton trade groups said Oct. 16. The groups said they are unsure why China has made “changes to export conditions for Australian cotton” to China and said that they are working with the Australian government to investigate. “Our industry’s relationship with China is of importance to us and is a relationship we have long valued and respected,” the Australian Cotton Shippers Association and Cotton Australia said in a joint statement. “To now learn of these changes for Australian cotton exports to China is disappointing, particularly after we have enjoyed such a mutually beneficial relationship with the country over many years.” The groups said they will continue “meaningful conversations with stakeholders to fully understand this situation” and “find a resolution.” During an Oct. 16 news conference, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said he was “not aware” of the situation and referred further questions to “the competent authorities.”
China announced antidumping duties on imports of polyphenylene sulfide from the U.S., Japan, South Korea and Malaysia, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said Oct. 16, according to an unofficial translation. Beginning Oct. 17, Chinese “import operators” must “provide the corresponding deposits” to Chinese customs authorities at rates between 23.3% and 220.9%, the notice said. Polyphenylene sulfide is a “high-performing engineering thermoplastic” used in the textile, auto, aerospace and electronics industries, according to CGTN, a Chinese state-controlled media outlet, in a report Oct. 16.
Foreign direct investment coming into South Korea during the third quarter of 2020 rose by more than 40% compared with the same time last year, the country’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said Oct. 13. South Korea said the numbers reached a “record-high” amount for the third quarter as the country saw spikes in investment from China and other Asian regions, including Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and Malaysia. The investments from those countries, which rose by about 50% from the previous year, targeted parts and research and development in “high-tech materials,” South Korea said. Meanwhile, U.S. direct investment into South Korea fell about 20%. The U.S. has stressed more stringent investment screening mechanisms with its trade partners, particularly against China (see 2002260042).