Finland, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia and Poland on May 9 signed an agreement that they said will align export control enforcement practices and increase information sharing across their customs agencies, particularly for illegal shipments to Russia, the countries announced.

China voiced its opposition to the Bureau of Industry and Security's recent move to add 37 Chinese technology companies, manufacturing firms, research institutions and others to the Entity List (see 2405090023), saying Beijing will "safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies," according to an unofficial translation of a news release that highlights a response to a reporter's question at a Beijing press conference. A Chinese Ministry of Commerce spokesperson accused the U.S. of "overextending" its concept of national security and said it has "abused" its export control measures.

Iran’s military is accessing advanced research and technology through the collaboration between Iranian and Swedish universities, according to a report this month from United Against Nuclear Iran, a nonprofit that says it works to “combat the threats” posed by the Iranian government. UANI said it has found eight Swedish universities that have “formed partnerships” with Iranian universities with ties to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, allowing the U.S.-sanctioned IRGC to “procure research and technology for the Iranian regime’s military programs.”

The U.K. on May 8 updated its financial sanctions FAQs to reflect that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office operates an "E-Alert service," in addition to the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation's E-Alert service. The FCDO's service provides "updates on designations, important changes, policy changes, and press releases." A subscription to the alerts may be requested here.

The U.K. on May 8 amended one entry under its Russia sanctions regime, updating the listing for Said Mikhailovich Gutseriev. The amended listing now shows that Gutseriev worked as a director of various Russian financial services and energy extractive companies, which operate in "sectors of strategic significance to the Government of Russia."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, along with French President Emmanuel Macron, met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Paris this week to discuss trade, Russia’s war against Ukraine and other topics, von der Leyen said in a statement.

The European Commission on May 7 extended its antidumping and countervailing duties on cold-rolled stainless steel from Indonesia to cover Taiwan, Turkey and Vietnam, the Directorate-General for Trade announced. The commission said the extension of the measures is needed to "ensure the efficacy of the original measures on stainless steel from Indonesia."

Houston residents Muzzamil Zaidi and Asim Mujtaba Naqvi pleaded guilty last week for their role in a scheme to send money to Iran without permission from the Office of Foreign Assets Control, DOJ announced.

The U.K. lowered the antidumping duty rate on exporter Hunan Jewelmoon Ceramics' entries of ceramic tableware and kitchenware to 17.9%, the Department for International Trade announced. The Trade Remedies Authority recommended the lower AD rate after finding that the company didn't export to the EU in the period of investigation, isn't related to another company subject to AD, and exported to the U.K. in the period after the EU period of the investigation. The new duty rate is effective Sept. 20, 2023.

The EU threatened to use its “full spectrum of measures,” including possible sanctions, against Russia for cyberattacks against European infrastructure, according to a statement of EU representatives released May 3 by the Council of the EU. The statement was released after Germany said Russia was behind a cyberattack against various email accounts of the German Social Democratic Party executive.