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☆ Exclusive: Applied Materials under US criminal probe for shipments to China's SMIC-sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Karen Freifeld | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

A smartphone with a displayed Applied Materials logo is placed on a computer motherboard in this illustration taken March 6, 2023. Shares in Applied Materials fell 7.3% after the news and the company reported quarterly results. Reuters could not determine whether Applied Materials violated the law, and it isn't clear whether the investigation will result in charges. SMIC did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the shipments from Applied Materials. A spokesperson for China's embassy in Washington was not aware of the Applied Materials probe.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, SMIC, Liu Pengyu, Karen Freifeld, Anna Driver Organizations: REUTERS, Semiconductor, Applied, Justice Department, Reuters, Materials, Justice and Commerce, Attorney's, Prosecutors, National Security Unit, China's Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation, U.S . Commerce Department, Commerce Department, Federal Register, Lam Research Corp, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, Thomson Locations: U.S, South Korea, China, Santa Clara , California, Massachusetts, Boston, Gloucester, Washington

☆ US lawmakers to unveil bill requiring private equity firms to reveal China investment
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Karen Freifeld | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) delivers remarks at the Belmont Water Treatment Center during a visit to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., February 3, 2023. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz Acquire Licensing RightsNov 9 (Reuters) - Two U.S. senators plan to introduce a bipartisan bill on Thursday that would require private equity firms to make public how much they invest in China and other countries of concern. The bill, set to be introduced by Democratic Senator Bob Casey and Republican Senator Rick Scott, is the latest effort to track U.S. investments in China. U.S. private investment firms have poured more than $80 billion into China between 2018 and 2022, some via pension plans, according to Casey's office. Casey has also co-sponsored a measure that would require government notification of investments in certain sensitive technology sectors in China.

Persons: Bob Casey, Elizabeth Frantz, Rick Scott, Casey, Rick Scott's, Karen Freifeld, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Treatment, REUTERS, Democratic, United, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, Senate's, Thomson Locations: Belmont, Philadelphia , Pennsylvania, U.S, China, United States, Iran, Russia, North Korea

Arctic-2 LNG has been expecting to start exporting soon and it is uncertain how much Russian LNG would be blocked by the new measures. The largest Russian LNG producer Novatek (NVTK.MM) said in September it would start shipments from Arctic-2 LNG early next year. The State Department said Zakharov is the creator and designer of the drones. "And every sanctions decision must work in full, so that there is no chance for Russia to bypass them." The State Department also imposed sanctions on multiple defense-related entities and procurement companies in the UAE.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Joe Biden, Doug Mills, Biden, Vladimir Putin, Antony Blinken, Aleksandr Zakharov, Zakharov, Andriy Yermak, Yermak, Daphne Psaledakis, Timothy Gardner, Alexandra Alper Mike Stone, Karen Freifeld, Yuliia Dysa, Ron Popeski, Nick Zieminski, Diane Craft Organizations: U.S, White, Rights, Moscow, State Department, Commerce Department, United Arab, Treasury Department, Systems, Treasury, Russian LNG, European, ZALA Aero, Russian Ministry of Defense, The State Department, Russian Federation, Washington, Turkish, UAE . Construction, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, United States, Ukraine, Siberia, Washington, Russian, U.S, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, China, Russia, Moscow, Crimea, Europe, European Union, Ukrainian, ZALA, UAE, New York, Gdansk, Beijing

☆ US halts exports of most civilian firearms for 90 days
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Joshua Roberts/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Oct 27 (Reuters) - The U.S. has stopped issuing export licenses for most civilian firearms and ammunition for 90 days for all non-governmental users, the Commerce Department said on Friday, citing national security and foreign policy interests. The Commerce Department declined to comment beyond the posting on its website. U.S. companies that sell firearms, including Sturm Ruger & Co. (RGR.N), Smith & Wesson Brands (SWBI.O) and Vista Outdoor (VSTO.N), could be impacted by the export ban. Overseas customers include distributors and stores that sell firearms. The pause does not affect previously issued export licenses, Commerce said.

Persons: Joshua Roberts, Johanna Reeves, Reeves, Sturm, Smith, Chris Sanders, Karen Freifeld, Sandra Maler Organizations: of Commerce, REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Commerce Department, Dola, Export, Sturm Ruger, Co, Wesson Brands, Overseas, Commerce, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, U.S, Washington, Ukraine, Israel

☆ US Halts Exports of Most Civilian Firearms for 90 Days
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. has stopped issuing export licenses for most civilian firearms and ammunition for 90 days for all non-governmental users, the Commerce Department said on Friday, citing national security and foreign policy interests. The Commerce Department declined to comment beyond the posting on its website. U.S. companies that sell firearms, including Sturm Ruger & Co., Smith & Wesson Brands and Vista Outdoor, could be impacted by the export ban. Overseas customers include distributors and stores that sell firearms. The pause does not affect previously issued export licenses, Commerce said.

Persons: Johanna Reeves, Reeves, Sturm, Smith, Chris Sanders, Karen Freifeld, Sandra Maler Organizations: WASHINGTON, U.S, Commerce Department, Dola, Export, Sturm Ruger, Co, Wesson Brands, Vista, Overseas, Commerce Locations: U.S, Washington, Ukraine, Israel

Flags of China and U.S. are displayed on a printed circuit board with semiconductor chips, in this illustration picture taken February 17, 2023. Reuters reported in June that the very AI chips barred by prior regulations could be purchased from vendors in China's Shenzhen. AI capabilities, aided by supercomputing and advanced chips, improve the speed and accuracy of military decision-making, planning and logistics, according to the regulations released Tuesday. LICENSING EXPANDEDThe new measures also expand licensing requirements for exports of advanced chips to more than 40 additional countries that present risks of diversion to China and are subject to U.S. arms embargoes. "We don’t think incremental semiconductor equipment restrictions are likely to have significant long term effects" on equipment suppliers, Wolfe Research said in a client note.

Persons: Florence Lo, Biden, Moore, Gina Raimondo, Biren, ASML, Lam, Raimondo, Jake Sullivan, Janet Yellen, Alexandra Alper, Karen Freifeld, Stephen Nellis, David Shepardson, Max A, Chris Sanders, Jamie Freed, Daniel Wallis Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Nvidia, Beijing, Commerce, Reuters, Georgetown University's Center for Security, Emerging Technology, Xilinx, Intel, supercomputing, HIT, AMD, U.S, Lam, Applied Materials, Wolfe Research, Semiconductor Industry Association, Thomson Locations: China, U.S, Iran, Russia, Beijing, China's Shenzhen, Georgetown, CHINA, Macau, Netherlands

Flags of China and U.S. are displayed on a printed circuit board with semiconductor chips, in this illustration picture taken February 17, 2023. The rules restrict a broader swathe of advanced chips and chipmaking tools to a greater number of countries including Iran and Russia, and blacklist Chinese chip designers Moore Threads and Biren. Nvidia's business has soared since the imposition of last year's rules because its China-only chips are still better than alternatives. LICENSING EXPANDEDThe new measures also expand licensing requirements for exports of advanced chips to more than 40 additional countries that present risks of diversion to China and are subject to U.S. arms embargoes. The Biden administration also hit 21 countries outside China with a licensing requirement for chipmaking tools.

Persons: Florence Lo, Biden, Moore, Gina Raimondo, " Raimondo, Biren, ASML, Raimondo, Jake Sullivan, Janet Yellen, Alexandra Alper, Karen Freifeld, Stephen Nellis, David Shepardson, Max A, Chris Sanders, Jamie Freed, Daniel Wallis Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Nvidia, Commerce, HIT, AMD, Intel, U.S, Lam Research, Materials, Embassy, Semiconductor Industry Association, Thomson Locations: China, U.S, Beijing, Iran, Russia, United States, CHINA, Macau, Netherlands, Washington

☆ Exclusive: Upcoming US rules on AI chip exports aim to stop workarounds
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( Karen Freifeld | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The new rules will block some AI chips that fall just under current technical parameters while demanding companies report shipments of others, said the official, who provided information on condition of anonymity. Last year, government restrictions kept Nvidia (NVDA.O), the world's most valuable chipmaker, from shipping two of its most advanced AI chips to Chinese customers, chips that have become the industry standard for developing chatbots and other AI systems. The U.S. now plans to introduce new guidelines for AI chips that will restrict certain advanced datacenter AI chips not currently captured, the official said. The update to the October 2022 rules is also meant to cover AI chips as technology evolves. The new restrictions may also close a loophole that gives Chinese companies access to American artificial intelligence chips through Chinese units located overseas, as Reuters reported last week.

Persons: Florence Lo, Biden, Karen Freifeld, Max A, Chris Sanders, Lisa Shumaker, Deepa Babington Organizations: REUTERS, U.S, Reuters, U.S . Department of Commerce, Nvidia, The, Commerce Department, Thomson Locations: U.S, China, The U.S, Beijing

China's Ministry of Commerce has previously accused the U.S. of abusing export controls and called for it to "stop its unreasonable suppression of Chinese companies." Washington has been working to close other loopholes that allow the AI chips into China. In August, it told Nvidia and AMD to restrict shipments of the AI chips beyond China to other regions, including some countries in the Middle East. Sources said the new rules on AI chips expected this month will likely apply those same restrictions more broadly to all companies in the market. But sources say the Biden administration is grappling with that issue as well.

Persons: Florence Lo, Biden, Greg Allen, Hanna Dohmen, George, CSET, Timothy Fist, Alexandra Alper, Karen Freifeld, Chris Sanders, Anna Driver Organizations: REUTERS, United, Reuters, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Commerce Department, Embassy, China's Ministry of Commerce, U.S, Georgetown University's Center for Security, Emerging Technology, International Affairs, George Washington University’s School of International Affairs, Nvidia, Xilinx, Intel, AMD, Amazon Web Services, Washington, New, New American Security, Thomson Locations: United States, Beijing, China, U.S, Shenzhen . Washington, Singapore, Washington, Georgetown, Microsemi . Washington, New American

☆ US allows Samsung, SK Hynix to keep getting US tools in China
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Flags of China and U.S. are displayed on a printed circuit board with semiconductor chips, in this illustration picture taken February 17, 2023. The authorization allows them to continue their Chinese chipmaking operations without the headache of applying for U.S. licenses to get new equipment, after new rules issued last October curbed Chinese chipmakers' access to the coveted tools. The October 2022 rules restricted shipments of advanced chips and chipmaking equipment to China as part of a U.S. bid to slow China's technological and military advances. Samsung Electronics makes about 40% of its NAND flash chips at its plant in Xian, China, while SK Hynix makes about 40% of its DRAM chips in Wuxi and 20% of its NAND flash chips in Dalian. The companies together controlled nearly 70% of the global DRAM market and 50% of the NAND flash market as of the end of June, data from TrendForce showed.

Persons: Florence Lo, Karen Freifeld, Chris Sanders, Alexandra Alper, Susan Heavey, Doina Chiacu, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, United, South Korea's SK Hynix, Samsung, U.S, Commerce Department, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, Thomson Locations: China, U.S, Nanjing, Xian, Wuxi, Dalian, TrendForce

Flags of China and U.S. are displayed on a printed circuit board with semiconductor chips, in this illustration picture taken February 17, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Lo/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 11 (Reuters) - A U.S. rule that restricts shipments of certain advanced chips to China has been revised and is under final review, according to a government posting, suggesting that further curbs on chips that can be used for artificial intelligence are coming soon. Reuters exclusively reported last week that U.S. officials had warned China to expect rules restricting shipments of semiconductor equipment and advanced AI chips to China to be updated this month. The rule restricting exports of chipmaking equipment was posted for review last week, Reuters reported on Oct. 5. The regulation on controls on high-end chips, advanced computing integrated circuits (ICs), and supercomputing was received for review on Oct. 10, according to the Office of Management and Budget website.

Persons: Florence Lo, Karen Freifeld, Alexandra Alper, Josie Kao Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, U.S . Department of Commerce, supercomputing, Management, Export, OMB, of State , Defense, Commerce, Energy, Thomson Locations: China, U.S

☆ US curbs on chip tools to China nearly finalized, government posting shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Flags of China and U.S. are displayed on a printed circuit board with semiconductor chips, in this illustration picture taken February 17, 2023. Reuters exclusively reported on Monday that U.S. officials had warned China in recent weeks to expect rules restricting shipments of semiconductor equipment and advanced AI chips to China to be updated this month. The updates would add restrictions and close loopholes in rules first unveiled on Oct. 7, 2022, sources say. A person familiar with the matter, who requested anonymity, confirmed the posting refers to the expected restriction on sending chipmaking tools to China. An anticipated companion rule updating restrictions on exports of high-end chips used for artificial intelligence has yet to be posted by the government.

Persons: Florence Lo, Biden, Karen Freifeld, Alexandra Alper, Anna Driver Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, Washington, Export, Semiconductor Manufacturing, Management, Budget, OMB, of State , Defense, Commerce, Energy, U.S . Department of Commerce, Thomson Locations: of China, U.S, China, Beijing

☆ US restricts trade with 42 Chinese entities over support for Russia's military
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Mark Schiefelbein/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Oct 6 (Reuters) - The U.S. Commerce Department on Friday added 42 Chinese companies to a government export control list over their support for Moscow's military and defense industrial base - support that includes the supply of U.S.-origin integrated circuits. Another seven entities from Finland, Germany, India, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom were also added to the trade export control list. The circuits include microelectronics that Russia uses for precision guidance systems in missiles and drones launched against civilian targets in Ukraine, the Commerce Department said in a statement. "The United States should immediately correct its wrong practices and stop its unreasonable suppression of Chinese companies," China's Ministry of Commerce said in a statement. Suppliers must then be granted generally hard-to-get licenses before shipping goods to entities on the list.

Persons: Janet Yellen, Mark Schiefelbein, Export Enforcement Matthew Axelrod, David Shepardson, Karen Freifeld, Mike Stone, Susan Heavey, Andrea Ricci, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: Rights, U.S . Commerce Department, United Arab Emirates, Commerce Department, U.S, Export Enforcement, Ministry of Commerce, Washington, Thomson Locations: United States, Diaoyutai, Beijing, China, U.S, Finland, Germany, India, Turkey, United Arab, United Kingdom, Russia, Ukraine, Russian

☆ US restricts trade with 42 Chinese entities over Russia military support
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Mark Schiefelbein/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Oct 6 (Reuters) - The U.S. Commerce Department on Friday added 42 Chinese companies to a government export control list over support for Moscow's military and defense industrial base, including supplying the Russian sector U.S.-origin integrated circuits. Another seven entities from Finland, Germany, India, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom were also added to the trade export control list. Entity List when Washington deems them a threat to U.S. national security or foreign policy. Suppliers must then be granted generally hard-to-get licenses before shipping goods to entities on the list. The Chinese embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Persons: Janet Yellen, Mark Schiefelbein, Export Enforcement Matthew Axelrod, David Shepardson, Karen Freifeld, Mike Stone, Susan Heavey, Andrea Ricci Organizations: Rights, U.S . Commerce Department, United Arab Emirates, Commerce Department, U.S, Export Enforcement, Washington, Thomson Locations: United States, Diaoyutai, Beijing, China, U.S, Finland, Germany, India, Turkey, United Arab, United Kingdom, Russia, Ukraine, Russian, Washington

Michael Cohen, former attorney for former U.S. President Donald Trump, arrives to the New York Courthouse in New York City, U.S., March 15, 2023. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON/ NEW YORK, Oct 5 (Reuters) - Former U.S. President Donald Trump filed a notice to voluntarily dismiss his $500 million lawsuit against his ex-lawyer Michael Cohen, a court filing showed on Thursday. Trump had sued Cohen in April seeking at least $500 million in damages from his onetime loyal "fixer" after Cohen testified before a Manhattan grand jury that indicted Trump. Cohen's legal team welcomed Trump's filing to dismiss the lawsuit. Trump's lawsuit accused Cohen of violating rules governing lawyers' conduct by revealing his "confidences" and "spreading falsehoods" in books, podcasts and media appearances.

Persons: Michael Cohen, Donald Trump, Eduardo Munoz, Trump, Cohen, Plaintiff, Donald J, Stormy Daniels, Joe Biden's, Kanishka Singh, Sandra Maler, Michael Perry Organizations: New, REUTERS, WASHINGTON, Former U.S, Southern, Southern District of, Democratic, White, Trump, Republican, New York Times, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Former, Manhattan, Southern District, Southern District of Florida, Washington

☆ Attacked by Trump, New York judge to weigh ex-president's fraud case
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( Jonathan Stempel | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

James sued in September 2022, saying Trump, his adult sons Donald Jr. and Eric, the Trump Organization and others had orchestrated a "staggering fraud." Last year, Engoron held Trump in contempt for failing to respond to a subpoena, and eventually imposed $110,000 in fines. And in a Sept. 22 hearing, Engoron pounded his fist on the bench while admonishing the defense about the importance of not making false statements in business. He spent more than a decade in private practice and 12 years clerking for a state judge, before becoming a civil court judge in 2003. At the Sept. 22 hearing, for example, he told the courtroom he tried to appear neutral as both sides made their arguments.

Persons: Arthur Engoron, Letitia James, Donald Trump, Trump, James, Donald Jr, Eric, Engoron, Christopher Kise, John Low, Chico Marx, Marx, Beer, Jonathan Stempel, Karen Freifeld, Noeleen Walder, Daniel Wallis 私 Organizations: New York, Republican, White, Trump Organization, Trump, Marx Brothers, Columbia University, New, Voters, American Civil Liberties Union Locations: New, New York, U.S, Manhattan, Lago, Saudi Arabia

The Commerce Department, which oversees export controls, is working on an update of export restrictions first released last year. "The PRC has been expecting an update around the one year anniversary, based on conversations with administration officials," the U.S. official said, using the abbreviation for People's Republic of China. U.S. officials provided the information to Chinese counterparts in recent weeks, the official said, which Reuters is reporting for the first time. The Biden administration has also sent a series of high-level officials to China, including Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo in August. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen also gave Chinese officials a warning in July about restrictions on U.S. investment in China released in August.

Persons: Florence Lo, Biden, Gina Raimondo, Jake Sullivan, Wang Yi, Liu Pengyu, Peter Harrell, Janet Yellen, Xi, ASML, Alexandra Alper, Karen Freifeld, Chris Sanders, Anna Driver Organizations: REUTERS, Beijing, U.S, Commerce Department, People's, Reuters, National, Foreign, of Commerce, White House, Economic Cooperation, Thomson Locations: China, WASHINGTON, People's Republic of China, Beijing, U.S, United States, Washington, Asia, San Francisco, Bali, India, Netherlands, Japan

Another source identified Trump Organization employee Yuscil Taveras as the unnamed computer specialist whose fees prosecutors said were paid by Trump's political group. Trump's legal spokesperson Alina Habba, who is also general counsel at Save America, did not respond to detailed questions on the payments. In July, after Save America reported its legal expenses to the Federal Election Commission, Cheung said Save America was helping people who had worked for Trump avoid "financial ruin." Asked how legal spending would affect his campaign, Trump told a SiriusXM podcast earlier this month: "Fortunately, I have a lot more money." Save America and the Trump campaign have not responded to requests for comment on the legal fee estimates.

Persons: Donald Trump, Scott Morgan, Donald Trump's, Brand Woodward, Greenberg Traurig, Trump, Jason Osborne, Trump's, Osborne, Stanley Woodward, Jason Miller, Margo Martin, Dan Scavino, Matt Calamari Jr, Yuscil Taveras, Miller, Martin, Calamari Jr, Walt Nauta, Carlos De Oliveira, Michael Roman, Boris Epshteyn, Taylor Budowich, William Russell, Kash Patel, Brian Jack, Roman, Dhillon, Epshteyn, Jack, Patel, De Oliveira, Russell, Alina Habba, Steven Cheung, Cheung, Stephen Gillers, Jason Lange, Andrew Goudsward, Nathan Layne, Sarah N, Lynch, Karen Freifeld, Ted Hesson, Scott Malone, Deepa Babington Organizations: U.S, Republican, REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Trump, Save, Federal, Commission, Make, Inc, MAGA Inc, Republican Party, America, Save America, Trump Organization, Scavino, New York University, Thomson Locations: Dubuque , Iowa, U.S, Save America, America's, Georgia, Budowich

Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a 2024 presidential campaign rally in Dubuque, Iowa, U.S. September 20, 2023. Engoron's ruling could force Trump to give up control to a receiver of properties including Manhattan's Trump Tower, golf courses and his family estate in a Manhattan suburb. The hearing was surprisingly subdued, given the criticism that Trump, Kise and other supporters of the defendants leveled at Engoron and his decision a day earlier. In court, Kise, who had called Engoron's decision "completely disconnected from the facts and governing law," complimented the judge as "extremely intelligent." Trump had sued Engoron this month, accusing him of ignoring a June appeals court ruling that according to Trump required gutting James' case because many of her claims were too old.

Persons: Donald Trump, Scott Morgan, Arthur Engoron, Christopher Kise, Trump, Manhattan's, Kise, I'm, Engoron, gutting James, Karen Freifeld, Bill Berkrot Organizations: U.S, Republican, REUTERS, New, Trump, Trump Organization, Thomson Locations: Dubuque , Iowa, U.S, New York, Manhattan

The judge described how Trump, his adult sons Donald Jr. and Eric, the Trump Organization and other defendants made up valuations and inflated Trump's net worth to suit their business needs. Trump and the other defendants have argued that they never committed fraud, and that the challenged transactions were profitable. Engoron said James submitted "conclusive evidence" that Trump had overstated his net worth by between $812 million and $2.2 billion. Engoron's decision does not automatically mean James' fraud case will go to trial next Monday. Trump has sued to delay the trial, accusing Engoron and James of ignoring the appeals court order to narrow the case.

Persons: Donald Trump, Scott Morgan, Justice Arthur Engoron, Letitia James, Engoron, Trump, Donald Jr, Eric, Christopher Kise, James, Bill Black, Black, Lawfare, Hunt, Trump's overvaluations, Trump's, Ivanka, Democrat Joe Biden, Jean Carroll, Karen Freifeld, Jack Queen, Jonathan Stempel, Chris Reese, Deepa Babington, Leslie Adler Organizations: U.S, Republican, REUTERS, Trump Organization, Trump, University of Minnesota Law School, Trump Organization of, Democrat Locations: Dubuque , Iowa, U.S, York, New York, Manhattan, Lago, Florida, Manhattan's, Saudi Arabia

☆ US adds three Chinese companies to forced labor entity list involving Uyghurs
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON, Sept 26 (Reuters) - The United States has added three Chinese companies to the forced labor entity list involving Uyghurs, according to a government posting on Tuesday, as part of an effort to eliminate forced labor practices the U.S. supply chain. The action targets Xinjiang Tianmian Foundation Textile Co, Ltd; Xinjiang Tianshan Wool Textile Co. Ltd, and Xinjiang Zhongtai Group Co. Ltd, according to the post. A 2021 law, the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List (UFLPA), prohibits U.S. imports that are either produced in Xinjiang or by companies identified on the list, unless the importer can prove the goods were not produced with forced labor. The list identifies entities working with the government of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region to recruit and transport Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, or members of other persecuted groups out of the region. U.S. officials believe Chinese authorities have established labor camps for Uyghurs and other Muslim minority groups in Xinjiang, China.

Persons: Doina Chiacu, Karen Freifeld, Susan Heavey Organizations: United, Foundation Textile Co, Wool, Co ., Xinjiang Zhongtai, Labor, U.S, Thomson Locations: United States, Xinjiang, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, U.S, China, Beijing

[1/2] Former U.S. President Donald Trump departs from Trump Tower to give a deposition to New York Attorney General Letitia James who sued Trump and his Trump Organization, in New York City, U.S., April 13, 2023. James has accused Trump of repeatedly lying in financial statements to obtain better terms on loans and insurance. Last week, Trump accused James of ignoring the decision and Engoron of refusing to implement it, and said the trial should be delayed. She said even a brief delay "would likely wreak havoc" on the trial and other trials that Trump faces. James' lawsuit seeks to bar Trump and his adult sons Donald Jr. And Eric from running businesses in New York.

Persons: Donald Trump, Letitia James, Trump, Mike Segar, Donald Trump's, Letitia James's, James, Arthur Engoron, Trump's, Ivanka Trump, Engoron, Donald Jr, Eric, Karen Freifeld, Jonathan Stempel, Daniel Wallis, Chizu Organizations: U.S, Trump Tower, New York, Trump Organization, REUTERS, Companies Trump Organization, Trump, Thomson Locations: New, New York City, U.S, New York, Manhattan, Lago, Florida

☆ US House panel chair: wider Chinese iPhone ban aims to quash Apple's market access
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A man holds an iPhone 14 as Apple Inc's new models go on sale at an Apple store in Beijing, China, September 16, 2022. REUTERS/Thomas Peter/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 7 (Reuters) - A wider ban on China state employees from using Apple's (AAPL.O) iPhones is not surprising and seeks to limit a Western company's market access, the chairman of the U.S. House panel on China told Reuters on Thursday. "American tech companies seeking to cozy up to the CCP must realize the clock is ticking,” added Gallagher, a Republican. Apple's shares have slipped amid the reports amid fears of tit-for-tat action as Sino-U.S. tension rise. Apple and China's State Council Information Office, which handles media queries on behalf of the government, have not responded to requests for comment on the reported ban.

Persons: Thomas Peter, iPhones, Mike Gallagher, ”, Gallagher, Apple's, Karen Freifeld, Jasper Ward, Ismail Shakil, Susan Heavey Organizations: Apple, REUTERS, U.S ., Reuters, Communist Party, CCP, People's, U.S, Republican, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, China's, Information Office, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, People's Republic of China, Jasper

☆ Factbox: The legal troubles of former US President Donald Trump
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump campaigns at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S. August 12, 2023. REUTERS/Scott Morgan/File PhotoAug 15 (Reuters) - Here is a list of legal troubles facing former U.S. President Donald Trump, the front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. On Jan. 6, 2021, Trump supporters attacked the U.S. Capitol in a failed bid to prevent certification of Biden's victory. Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records. Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations and other crimes and was sentenced to three years in prison in 2018 during Trump's presidency.

Persons: Donald Trump, Scott Morgan, Trump, Democrat Joe Biden, Mark Meadows, Rudy Giuliani, John Eastman, Jack Smith, Walt Nauta, Carlos De Oliveira, De Oliveira, Nauta, Trump's, Michael Cohen, Stormy Daniels, Daniels, reimbursing Cohen, Cohen, Jean Carroll, Carroll, Letitia James, James, Donald Jr, Eric, Joseph Ax, Luc Cohen, Karen Freifeld, Susan Heavey, Sarah N, Lynch, Jonathan Stempel, Jacqueline Thomsen, Noeleen Walder, Howard Goller Organizations: Fair, REUTERS, Democrat, Trump, White House, CAPITOL, U.S, Capitol, Prosecutors, Congress, White, Mar, Trump's, CNN, NEW, GENERAL, New York, Trump Organization, Thomson Locations: Iowa, Des Moines , Iowa, U.S, GEORGIA, Georgia, Trump's, Washington, Miami, Lago Florida, New Jersey, York, Manhattan, Lago, Florida, New York

The order is aimed at preventing American capital and expertise from helping China develop technologies that could support its military modernization and undermine U.S. national security. China said on Thursday it is "gravely concerned" about the order and that it reserves the right to take measures. The White House said Biden consulted allies on the plan and incorporated feedback from Group of Seven nations. "Today the United States is taking a strategic first step to ensure American investment does not go to fund Chinese military advancement." Last year, total U.S.-based venture-capital investment in China plummeted to $9.7 billion from $32.9 billion in 2021, according to PitchBook data.

Persons: Joe Biden, Elizabeth Frantz, Biden's, Biden, Chuck Schumer, Marco Rubio, Emily Benson, David Shepardson, Andrea Shalal, Stephen Nellis, Max Cherney, Krystal Hu, Karen Freifeld, Idrees Ali, Liz Lee, Lincoln, Jonathan Oatis, Cynthia Osterman, Michael Perry Organizations: White, REUTERS, Wednesday, U.S, Treasury, Biden, Chinese Commerce Ministry, Seven, Democratic, Republicans, REPUBLICAN, The Semiconductor Industry Association, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, WASHINGTON, China, U.S, Japan, Netherlands, United States, Washington, Beijing

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