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Presidents Trump and Putin meeting in Helsinki, July 2018
President Trump issued an executive order on October 16 implementing the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 while waiving its tariff provisions and numerous sanctions and restrictions.
The diesel agreement puts the administration’s drive to lower fuel prices before the midterms at odds with Congress’s effort to deny Moscow revenue for its war against Ukraine and Britain’s commitment to maintaining sanctions pressure.

US Sanctions ICC, exempts certain services and technology

The licenses avert an immediate operational shutdown but leave the ICC under sustained U.S. leverage. Routine subscriptions, telecommunications and enterprise software may continue—some indefinitely, others only through April 7, 2027—but vendors must still screen separately sanctioned officials and may withdraw services voluntarily.

DOJ Signals Broader Criminal Exposure in Qui Tam and Trade Fraud Matters

The directive signals that trade-fraud and qui tam matters may no longer remain discrete civil investigations. Allegations involving unpaid duties, false origin claims, undervaluation, misclassification or forced labor may prompt parallel criminal, tax, securities and asset-forfeiture inquiries. Importers and other supply-chain participants should investigate credible allegations promptly, preserve evidence and assess disclosure options before DOJ independently identifies the conduct.

Welcome to Your WTTL

The Washington Tariff and Trade Letter introduces a web-based format for easier review, research and sharing.  Clicking on a story in the newsletter will now bring you to the full text on our new web site. A .pdf version of the newsletter is available below.   For any questions about website access and your subscription, please contact us at Info@TradeRegs.com – Or call the Editor, Frank Ruffing, at +1.703.283.5220

The latest news
57 percent of researchers in its 2025 elite AI cohort had received undergraduate degrees in China, compared with 13 percent in the United States.

Pentagon Reports Research Security Audits at 30 Universities as MI5 Warns of Chinese Funding Links

The Pentagon’s university audits and MI5’s warning expose a common research security problem: a collaborator’s institutional affiliation may not reveal who ultimately funds or benefits from the work.

OFAC & State Roll Out Trade Secret Sanctions on Chinese Fund

The sanctions bring trade-secret risk directly into investment compliance, requiring banks, fund managers, and technology companies to assess their exposure to the designated MiraclePlus entities.
More trade & tariff news
Spain has defended its policies as necessary to comply with domestic and international legal obligations concerning arms transfers and the conflict in Gaza.

FMC Proposes Vessel Fees and Spanish Import Restrictions

The Federal Maritime Commission has proposed a $200,000 fee on Spanish-flagged vessels entering U.S. ports and restrictions on selected Spanish exports, escalating a dispute over Spain’s denial of port access to vessels carrying cargo bound for or coming from Israel. The proposal would extend the dispute to U.S. importers of Spanish olive oil, cosmetics, ceramics, and other goods.

China Hawks Seek to Strip COSCO Vessels of Inspection Privileges Over Espionage Allegations

The dispute puts COSCO’s access to reduced U.S. port inspections under scrutiny as lawmakers press the Coast Guard to account for national security risks alongside vessel safety. COSCO has denied the espionage allegations, saying its onboard equipment serves legitimate commercial purposes.

Carlyle Exits Lukoil Sale as Rival Consortium Pursues Assets

U.S. private equity firm Carlyle Group has abandoned its active pursuit of Lukoil's international assets after its acquisition agreement expired without Treasury Department approval, leaving a consortium led by investor Todd Boehly among the remaining contenders for the Russian oil company's overseas business.

Europe Broadens Russia Sanctions

The European Union added 1,646 persons and entities to its Russia sanctions list on October 12, increasing the number of designations under its Ukraine territorial-integrity regime by about 35%, to nearly 4,600.
On the calendar
The result lowers the combined duty rate for many Canadian lumber suppliers but leaves importers with company-specific obligations and a separate tariff burden.
Members remained at odds over non-discrimination, development treatment, and institutional authority, while new reporting documented progress in resolving market access concerns and expanding supply chain finance.
Michigan Republican Rep. John James has proposed using a portion of revenue from tariffs on Canada to assist U.S. businesses that demonstrate tariff-related economic injury.
Global Affairs Canada (GAC) has published guidance on Canada’s sanctions deemed ownership provisions, addressing when a listed person’s control of an unlisted entity can bring that entity’s property within sanctions restrictions. The guidance warrants attention from financial institutions, businesses and counsel assessing counterparties with complex ownership or governance arrangements.
The proposal would extend China’s technology export controls across three strategic industries, with consequences for overseas licensing, technology transfers and changes in ownership or control. Although the proposed prohibitions and restrictions remain under consultation, the immediate registration requirement means companies must assess pending transactions now, including transfers already underway.

DOJ Seeks $290 Million From Uni-Tile and CEO in Customs Fraud Suit

The Justice Department is seeking approximately $290.4 million in unpaid duties and fraud penalties from Uni-Tile & Marble Inc. and its chief executive officer, Xin Mian Pan, in a civil customs enforcement action that examines their alleged role in imports entered through other companies.

Russian National Extradited from Sweden in Alleged Scheme to Divert U.S. Electronics to Russia Through Hong Kong

A Russian national extradited from Sweden faces federal charges for allegedly using a Hong Kong electronics company to obtain U.S. components for Russian customers, conceal their ultimate destination, and finance purchases through overseas bank accounts.

Bosnian Arms Dealer Sentenced to Five Years for North Korea Sanctions Violations

Sasa Micev, a Bosnian national, was sentenced to five years in federal prison after pleading guilty to violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the North Korea Sanctions Regulations arising from an attempted purchase of North Korean anti-aircraft missiles, the Justice Department announced October 14, 2026.

Venezuela: OFAC Removes Delcy's Brother from SDN List

The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control removed Jorge Jesús Rodríguez Gómez, president of Venezuela’s National Assembly, and brother of Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s acting president, from its Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List. OFAC also extended General License 60, permitting earthquake relief transactions otherwise prohibited by the Venezuela Sanctions Regulations.