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Thompson Hine LLP, a full-service business law firm with approximately 400 lawyers in 8 offices, was ranked number 1 in the category “Most innovative North American law firms: New working models” by The Financial Times and was 1 of 7 firms shortlisted for The American Lawyer’s inaugural Legal Services Innovation Award. The firm has been recognized by the National Law Journal as a Legal Technology Trailblazer and featured by Bloomberg for its innovative service delivery models, which drive accuracy and predictability. The firm’s commitment to innovation is embodied in Thompson Hine SmartPaTHTM – a smarter way to work – predictable, efficient and aligned with client goals. For more information, please visit ThompsonHine.com and ThompsonHine.com/SmartPaTH.

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On January 13, President Donald Trump amended his previously issued Executive Order to address confusion over whether U.S. persons must divest publicly traded securities in certain “Communist Chinese Military Companies” (CCMCs). On November 12, 2020, the president issued <a href="https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/126/13959.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Executive Order 13959</a> prohibiting U.S. persons from transacting in publicly traded securities or derivatives or similar securities of publicly traded Chinese companies designated by the U.S. Department of Defense as enabling Chinese military aims. (See our International Trade Update <a href="https://www.thompsonhine.com/publications/executive-order-prohibits-us-investment-in-communist-chinese-military-companies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">“Executive Order Prohibits U.S. Investment in ‘Communist Chinese Military Companies’”</a> for additional details.) The ban was effective January 11. Numerous questions were raised regarding the scope and intent of the Executive Order, which the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sought to address by issuing several FAQs. (See our International Trade Update <a href="https://www.thompsonhine.com/publications/ofac-issues-guidance-regarding-ban-on-transacting-in-securities-of-communist-chinese-military-companies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">“OFAC Issues Guidance Regarding Ban on Transacting in Securities of ‘Communist Chinese Military Companies.’”</a>)

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Nevertheless, significant questions remained as to whether U.S. persons would be required to divest such securities by November 11, 2021 or 60 days after listing of the company, whichever comes last. The original November 12, 2020 Executive Order did not expressly mandate divestiture. The January 13 Executive Order amends Executive Order 13959 to clearly prohibit certain sales as well as purchases of publicly traded securities, or any securities that are derivative of or designed to provide investment exposure to such securities, of listed CCMCs. The amended Executive Order clarifies that U.S. persons who on January 11 held any securities in a CCMC must divest such holdings by November&nbsp;11, stating, “Effective at 11:59 p.m. eastern standard time on November 11, 2021, possession of any such securities by a United States person is prohibited.” Further, should the Department of Defense designate additional Chinese companies as CCMCs, U.S. persons will have 365 days from the date of the designation to divest any securities held in those companies.

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Our International Trade group has extensive experience advising on compliance with sanctions and investment restrictions. For more information, please contact:

Francesca M.S. Guerrero Partner, International Trade 202.973.2774 <a href="mailto:Francesca.Guerrero@ThompsonHine.com">Francesca.Guerrero@ThompsonHine.com</a>

Samir D. Varma Partner, International Trade 202.263.4136 <a href="mailto:Samir.Varma@ThompsonHine.com">Samir.Varma@ThompsonHine.com</a>

Brent Connor Senior Counsel, International Trade 202.263.4188 <a href="mailto:Brent.Connor@ThompsonHine.com">Brent.Connor@ThompsonHine.com</a>

Joyce Rodriguez Associate, International Trade 202.973.2724 <a href="mailto:Joyce.Rodriguez@ThompsonHine.com">Joyce.Rodriguez@ThompsonHine.com</a>

Scott E. Diamond* Senior Legislative &amp; Regulatory Policy Advisor, International Trade 202.263.4197 <a href="mailto:Scott.Diamond@ThompsonHine.com">Scott.Diamond@ThompsonHine.com</a>

*Not licensed to practice law

This advisory bulletin may be reproduced, in whole or in part, with the prior permission of Thompson Hine LLP and acknowledgment of its source and copyright. This publication is intended to inform clients about legal matters of current interest. It is not intended as legal advice. Readers should not act upon the information contained in it without professional counsel.

This document may be considered attorney advertising in some jurisdictions.

https://admin.thompsonhine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/International_Trade_Update_-_Executive_Order_on_Investments_in_Communist_Chinese_Military_Companies_Amended.pdf

Executive Order on Investments in Communist Chinese Military Companies Amended

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