On July 17, 2026, the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) announced certain updates and changes to its Hong Kong-related sanctions program following the expiration of the national emergency declared in Executive Order (“EO”) 13936, The President’s Executive Order on Hong Kong Normalization. Key changes include: What Changed? OFAC explained that the expiration of EO 13936 does not affect the continuing validity of either the HKAA or the Hong Kong…
On June 22, 2026, President Trump signed Executive Order 14411, on Ushering in the Next Frontier of Quantum Innovation (the “EO”). The EO establishes a national policy to maintain a strategic technical advantage in quantum information science and technology (QIST) and leads the development of a robust and trusted quantum ecosystem across QIST research, manufacturing, commercialization, and application. Accordingly the focus of much of the EO is directed at accelerating domestic commercialization and research. Additionally,…
On July 7, 2026, the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control revoked Iran General License X (“GL X”), which would have otherwise been valid through August 21, 2026. GL X was issued in June to authorize the production, delivery, and sale of Iranian crude, petrochemical products, and petroleum products. See our earlier summary here. OFAC replaced GL X with a narrow wind-down authorization issued as Iran General License X1 (“GL X1”). Under GL…
On June 25, 2026, the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) issued General License No. 60 (“GL 60”) to authorize transactions related to earthquake relief efforts that would otherwise be prohibited under the Venezuela Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR Part 591 (“VSR”). GL 60 is in effect through 12:01 am ET on October 23, 2026. Transactions for US Persons authorized by GL 60 include those involving the Government of Venezuela (“GOV”) and Specially…