The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls IT Modernization team is updating the third-party function of its Defense Export Control and Compliance System (DECCS) application, the DDTC said Sept. 16. The changes, which take effect Sept. 20, will require third-party users to “use a dedicated account to access a company’s information,” the DDTC said. If users need “access to multiple companies” as a third party, they can register “multiple accounts using unique email addresses,” the DDTC said. Questions should be directed to the Defense Trade Application System help desk at dtradehelpdesk@state.gov or (202) 663-2838.

The State Department approved two potential sales of military goods to Morocco worth more than a combined $950 million, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Sept. 12. The first sale involves $776 million worth of “various TOW-2A missiles” and the second sale includes $209 million worth of F-16 ammunition, the DSCA said. The contractor for the first sale is Raytheon Missile Systems. The contractors for the second sale are Raytheon USA, Orbital ATK, General Dynamics, Kilgore Cheming Groupe, Cheming Groupe and Kaman Precision Products, the DSCA said.

The Aerospace Industries Association released its 2019 Facts & Figures report, saying aerospace and defense exports have steadily increased despite international market uncertainty. The report said an increasing demand for commercial aircraft, combined with emerging “markets and routes,” has caused exports to grow. This has been buoyed by a “rise in geopolitical threats” that has led to “increased spending on a global scale as allies in foreign markets continue to procure cutting-edge American technology.” The AIA expects growth to continue as U.S. allies, including those in East Asia and Europe, “increase their defense budgets to address common national security concerns.”

President Donald Trump renewed for one year authorities under the Trading With the Enemy Act with respect to Cuba, the White House said Sept. 13. The authorities, implemented by the Cuban Assets Control Regulations, block certain trade between U.S. and Cuba. They had been set to expire Sept. 14.

The State Department approved a potential $6.5 billion sale of military goods to Poland, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a Sept. 11 press release. The sale includes 32 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft along with engines, “electronic warfare systems,” communications equipment, navigation and identification equipment, weapons capabilities and more. The DSCA said the sale will help the national security of the U.S. by aiding a North Atlantic Treaty Organization ally. The contractors will be Texas-based Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company and Connecticut-based Pratt & Whitney Military Engines.

The Congressional Research Service released a report Sept. 10 on trade and economic relations between the U.S. and China, including the current issues hindering trade. The report covers U.S. issues with Chinese industrial policies, intellectual property rights and concerns over exports of sensitive technology.

The Government Accountability Office found that the State and Defense departments’ processes for reviewing proposed arms transfers are appropriate and aligned with conventional arms transfer policies, the GAO said in a Sept. 9 report. Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., requested the GAO review the administration's arms transfer policies. Menendez is the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

The Export-Import Bank of the United States is seeking comments on “guidelines for determining Additionality on requests the Bank receives to support export transactions with repayment amortizing over the medium or long term,” according to a notice. Comments are due Oct. 9.

A top U.S. Department of Agriculture official said he was “elated” to hear about the upcoming October meeting between top-level U.S. and China officials, but warned that a trade deal may still be far away. “I hope this is a very serious attempt to get going and to get back to the table and really bring this to fruition,” said Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney, speaking during a Sept. 5 conference call with reporters.

Various promotional items imported by Bic Graphic that are labeled in the U.S. before export to NAFTA countries are considered as in the "same condition” for purposes of the NAFTA limitation on drawback, CBP said in an Aug. 12 ruling. CBP said in HQ H292472 the multiple labeling methods involved don't result in a change in condition and also may still be considered "unused." Mallory Alexander International Logistics requested the ruling on behalf of Bic Graphic.