Japan Announces Enforcement Date for Removal of South Korea From Trading List

Japan officially approved removing South Korea from its so-called whitelist of trusted trading partners, the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said Aug. 2, adding that it will begin enforcing the decision Aug. 28. The move was expected after Japan introduced a bill earlier this month as the two countries become embroiled in a trade dispute (see 1907300058).

As a result of the move, Japanese exporters “can no longer utilize the General Bulk Export License” for exports and “technology transfers” to South Korea, Japan said. The country also said exports and technology transfers to South Korea will be “subject to the catch-all control.”