US Executive Branch Update – January 27, 2023

By Stacy Swanson on January 27, 2023 Posted in US Executive Branch

US executive branch text over image of White House

This report provides a snapshot of the U.S. Executive Branch priorities via daily schedules and the prior day’s press releases.

POTUS’ Schedule*

9:00 a.m. EST – THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing | The White House

5:30 p.m. EST – THE PRESIDENT departs the White House en route Camp David

US Executive Branch Update – January 26, 2023

By Stacy Swanson on January 26, 2023 Posted in US Executive Branch

This report provides a snapshot of the U.S. Executive Branch priorities via daily schedules and the prior day’s press releases.

POTUS’ Schedule*

9:00 a.m. EST – THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing | The White House

1:40 p.m. EST – THE PRESIDENT departs the White House en route Springfield, Virginia

US Executive Branch Update – January 25, 2023

By Stacy Swanson on January 26, 2023 Posted in US Executive Branch

This report provides a snapshot of the U.S. Executive Branch priorities via daily schedules and the prior day’s press releases.

POTUS’ Schedule*

8:30 a.m. EST – THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing

12:00 p.m. EST – THE PRESIDENT delivers remarks on continued support for Ukraine | Roosevelt Room

US Executive Branch Update – January 24, 2023

By Stacy Swanson on January 24, 2023 Posted in US Executive Branch

This report provides a snapshot of the U.S. Executive Branch priorities via daily schedules and the prior day’s press releases.

POTUS’ Schedule*

10:15 a.m. EST – THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing; The Vice President attends | Oval Office

3:00 p.m. EST – THE PRESIDENT hosts Democratic Congressional leaders; The Vice President attends | Roosevelt Room

Chips Chatter: January 18-23, 2023

By Pablo Carrillo, Ludmilla Kasulke, Camilo Daza Manga and Rong Qin on January 24, 2023 Posted in International Trade Policy

Last Week: GOP To Review Export Controls Enforcement, Citing China Concerns

House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) Chair Michael McCaul (R-TX) asked U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo for documents on the implementation of certain export controls. “The United States needs a whole-of-government approach to protect sensitive and military-useful technology from foreign adversaries, such as the People’s Republic of China,” McCaul wrote in the letter.

What’s next: McCaul is renewing earlier requests to Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) and will conduct a 90-day review of the agency’s processes. McCaul wrote, “a principal objective for this review is to determine if the Department of Commerce should continue to lead implementation of the export control system.”

US Executive Branch Update – January 23, 2023

By Stacy Swanson on January 23, 2023 Posted in US Executive Branch

This report provides a snapshot of the U.S. Executive Branch priorities via daily schedules and the prior day’s press releases.

POTUS’ Schedule*

9:45 a.m. EST – THE PRESIDENT departs Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, en route the White House

10:40 a.m. EST – THE PRESIDENT arrives at the White House

TradeTalk China: January 14-20, 2023

By Pablo Carrillo, Ludmilla Kasulke, Camilo Daza Manga and Rong Qin on January 20, 2023 Posted in International Trade Policy

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING: A New Standard of “Influence?”

Last week, the House of Representatives passed the Protecting America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act (H.R. 22), which would prohibit the Department of Energy (DOE) from selling petroleum products from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to any entity that is “under the ownership, control, or influence of the Chinese Communist Party.”

Why it matters: The bill does not direct DOE on how to define “influence,” leaving open what exactly would fall under that term, as opposed to clearer concepts like “ownership” or “control.” Without guidance from Congress, DOE could end up with an unwieldly definition. Industry stakeholder participation in any rulemaking to follow will be critical to ensuring reasonable application of the concept, as Congress may apply this term in other legislation aimed at addressing Chinese competition over the coming months.

US Executive Branch Update – January 20, 2023

By Stacy Swanson on January 20, 2023 Posted in US Executive Branch

This report provides a snapshot of the U.S. Executive Branch priorities via daily schedules and the prior day’s press releases.

POTUS’ Schedule*

12:20 a.m. EST – THE PRESIDENT arrives at the White House (from his trip to California)

9:00 a.m. EST – THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing

US Executive Branch Update – January 19, 2023

By Stacy Swanson on January 20, 2023 Posted in US Executive Branch

This report provides a snapshot of the U.S. Executive Branch priorities via daily schedules and the prior day’s press releases.

POTUS’ Schedule*

7:30 a.m. EST – THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing | The White House

9:25 a.m. EST – THE PRESIDENT departs the White House en route Joint Base Andrews

Chips Chatter: January 10-17, 2023

By Pablo Carrillo, Ludmilla Kasulke, Camilo Daza Manga and Rong Qin on January 19, 2023 Posted in CHIPS Act

Last Week: U.S. Multilateral Technology Policy

U.S., Mexico, Canada agreed to strengthen chips coordination: During the North American Leaders Summit, U.S. President Joe Biden, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador of Mexico, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada announced plans to deepen coordination of semiconductor supply chains and critical minerals resource mapping.
U.S.-UK hold tech-centric meeting in Washington: Negotiators from the U.S. and the United Kingdom held their first tech-centric meeting, during which British officials advocated for a more “balanced” set of technology rules.
Japan to consider semiconductor positions “with responsibility:” After a visit to the White House, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Japan would consider “with responsibility” how to deal with semiconductor trade and base its decision on new controls in economic security considerations.

US Executive Branch Update – January 18, 2023

By Stacy Swanson on January 18, 2023 Posted in COVID-19, US Executive Branch

This report provides a snapshot of the U.S. Executive Branch priorities via daily schedules and the prior day’s press releases.

POTUS’ Schedule*

9:00 a.m. EST – THE PRESIDENT receives the Presidential Daily Briefing | The White House

US Executive Branch Update – January 17, 2023

By Stacy Swanson on January 18, 2023 Posted in US Executive Branch

This report provides a snapshot of the U.S. Executive Branch priorities via daily schedules and the prior day’s press releases.

Note: The Federal Government was closed on Monday in observance of the Martin Luther King holiday.

POTUS’ Schedule*

9:00 a.m. EST – The President receives the Presidential Daily Briefing | The White House

11:15 a.m. EST – The President holds a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the Netherlands | Oval Office

Analysis of Expected and Recent Developments in Congressional Oversight & Investigations in the 118th Congress

By Pablo Carrillo and Michael Hawthorne on January 18, 2023 Posted in 118th Congress, Congressional Oversight

This month, the 118^th Congress convened in Washington, D.C., ushering in a return to divided government. Republicans now hold a narrow majority in the House of Representatives, while Democrats have retained their slim Senate majority. With few opportunities for bipartisan compromise, the 118^th Congress is expected to engage in more frequent, less robust, and more partisan congressional investigations.

TradeTalk China: January 1-13

By Pablo Carrillo, Ludmilla Kasulke, Camilo Daza Manga and Rong Qin on January 17, 2023 Posted in International Trade Policy

118^th Congress Begins with Focus on China.

Last weekend, House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) was elected Speaker of the House. In his first speech, McCarthy said Republicans will “address America’s long-term challenges: the debt, and the rise of the Chinese Communist Party.”

Chips Chatter: January 2-9

By Pablo Carrillo, Ludmilla Kasulke, Camilo Daza Manga and Rong Qin on January 9, 2023 Posted in CHIPS Act

In Case You Missed It: International Technology Developments

Netherlands weighs restrictions on chipmaking exports: It is reported that the Dutch government could decide within this month on whether to side with the U.S. and block the sale of advanced chipmaking technology to China. Its decision may be especially notable since Dutch company ASML is among the world’s most important builder of machines needed to manufacture chips.
U.S. and Japan to work through South Korea to ban Chinese chips: According to U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel, the U.S. is in discussions with Japan, the Netherlands, and South Korea on a deal to restrict semiconductor exports to China.
Taiwan wants to join WTO talks on China’s protest against U.S. chip sanctions: Taiwan requested to join discussions centered on China’s protest against U.S. chip sanctions at the World Trade Organization.
Mexico to ask for U.S. help in attracting semiconductor investment: Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) will ask President Biden for support in attracting semiconductor investment when they meet in Mexico City this week.
Europe joins U.S. in considering outbound investment reviews: In its 2023 work program, the European Commission promised to examine whether additional tools are necessary with regards to strategic outbound investments controls.