---
title: Making Sense of the Complex Web of Sanctions and Export Controls and How They Affect Chinese Companies in the U.S.
description: On September 24th, 2020, China General Chamber of Commerce - USA (CGCC) hosted a timely webinar titled “Making Sense of the Complex Web of Sanctions and Export Controls and How They Affect Chinese Com
---

[Member News | CGCCUSA ](https://www.cgccusa.org/en/news)

# [Making Sense of the Complex Web of Sanctions and Export Controls and How They Affect Chinese Companies in the U.S.](https://www.cgccusa.org/en/news/making-sense-of-the-complex-web-of-sanctions-and-export-controls-and-how-they-affect-chinese-companies-in-the-u-s)

 Written by [CGCC](https://www.cgccusa.org/en/news/author/cgcc) | September 25, 2020

On September 24th, 2020, China General Chamber of  
 Commerce - USA (CGCC) hosted a timely webinar titled “Making Sense of the  
 Complex Web of Sanctions and Export Controls and How They Affect Chinese  
 Companies in the U.S..” More than 130 guests from CGCC member companies and the  
 greater community joined the session. 

Moderated by Lanier Saperstein, Partner at Jones Day,  
 the webinar convened a panel of experts from Morrison & Foerster LLP and  
 Sidley Austin LLP, including John E. Smith (Partner at Morrison & Foerster),  
 Michael Borden (Partner at Sidley Austin), Jen Fernandez (Associate at Sidley  
 Austin), and Lei Li (Partner at Sidley Austin’s Shanghai and Beijing Offices).

Originally initiated in response to the Department of  
 Defense's recently updated [list](https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Releases/Release/Article/2328894/dod-releases-list-of-additional-companies-in-accordance-with-section-1237-of-fy/) of “Communist Chinese  
 Military Companies,” this webinar spanned a broader range of legal and policy  
 topics affecting Chinese companies in the U.S. The speakers provided an  
 overview of the relevant laws, regulations, and executive orders affecting  
 Chinese companies at this time, covering sanctions and export controls,  
 including the DoD List, the DoC entity list, and recent OFAC sanctions.  
 Speakers also offered advice and guidance on best practices in response to the  
 continuously changing political environment.

 https://youtu.be/v2ZlGF6WnxQ

John Smith, Partner at Morrison & Foerster LLP and  
 former  
 Director of the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control  
 (OFAC), suggested that Chinese companies engage more with related legislators  
 and institutions as an industry group. “The most persuasive comments that I’ve  
 heard are from industry groups with respect to the broad implications of U.S.  
 sanctions and their impacts on companies and industries sectors,” Smith said.

Panelists also answered questions from the audience  
 about the recent WeChat and TikTok ban. Regarding the effective messaging that  
 worked with the administration,

Michael Borden, Partner at Sidley Austin LLP, stated  
 that it is crucial for the companies to reframe the debate before engagement  
 with policymakers sophistically,

while communication is always recommended. “It’s  
 better to engage, it’s better to have conversations, it’s better to share your  
 stories,” remarked Borden.

Jen Fernandez, Associate at Sidley Austin LLP,  
 introduced the Entity List and the recent U.S. Export Control actions.

CGCC extends great appreciation to all the panelists  
 and participants for their support in making the event a success.

[CLICK HERE ](https://www.cgccusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/9-24-20-CGCC-Slides-FINAL-1.pdf?hsLang=en)for the event slides and  
 speaker bios/contact info

[CLICK HERE](https://www.cgccusa.org/en/legal-and-policy-resource-center/?hsLang=en) visit CGCC’s Legal and  
 Policy Resource Center

[View full post](https://www.cgccusa.org/en/news/making-sense-of-the-complex-web-of-sanctions-and-export-controls-and-how-they-affect-chinese-companies-in-the-u-s)

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