Commerce at a Glance: December 31, 2020

The Latest News

U.S. Department of Commerce Unveils new Aluminum Import Monitoring and Analysis System

The U.S. Department of Commerce announced the creation of the Aluminum Import Monitoring and Analysis (AIM) system, which will enable Commerce to collect and publish data on aluminum imports. AIM is modeled on Commerce’s successful Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis (SIMA) system.

Commerce Department Will Publish the First Military End User List Naming More Than 100 Chinese and Russian Companies

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) will amend the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by adding a new ‘Military End User’ (MEU) List, as well as the first tranche of 103 entities, which includes 58 Chinese and 45 Russian companies.

Statement from Secretary Ross on The Department's 77 Additions to the Entity List for Human Rights Abuses, Militarization of the South China Sea and U.S. Trade Secret Theft

The Commerce Department added 77 entities to the Entity List for actions deemed contrary to the national security or foreign policy interest of the United States. These include entities in China that enable human rights abuses, entities that supported the militarization and unlawful maritime claims in the South China Sea, entities that acquired U.S.-origin items in support of the People’s Liberation Army’s programs, and entities and persons that engaged in the theft of U.S. trade secrets.

Commerce Adds China’s SMIC to the Entity List, Restricting Access to Key Enabling U.S. Technology

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) in the Department of Commerce (Commerce) added Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC) of China to the Entity List. BIS is taking this action to protect U.S. national security. This action stems from China’s military-civil fusion (MCF) doctrine and evidence of activities between SMIC and entities of concern in the Chinese military industrial complex.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and Singapore Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing Sign Memorandum of Understanding on Trade Financing and Investment Cooperation

The United States of America (U.S.) and Singapore have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to deepen economic cooperation and extend trade financing and investment support to companies in Singapore and the U.S. The MOU was signed by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and Singapore Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross Applauds New National Space Policy That Drives American Leadership in Space Commerce

Recently, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur L. Ross, Jr. praised President Donald J. Trump’s new National Space Policy for recognizing the significance of the rapidly growing U.S. commercial space industry and for strengthening the Nation’s role as the country of choice for space commerce.

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Around Commerce

NIST Software Tool Improves Your Doctor’s Vaccination Advice

Behind the scenes at your doctor’s office, there’s a complicated set of information that your providers have to absorb before telling you which vaccinations to get and when. A software tool created at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is helping them make better decisions.

Marissa Streng, inventor of the Puff-N-Fluff dog dryer, whares her experiences a young innovator and entrepreneur

Journeys of Innovation: Dogged Determination

In third grade, students typically focus on multiplication, division, reading, and writing. In 2011, however, Marissa Streng, an industrious 9-year-old from central Florida, invented a product that better dried her dog Mojo after his baths. With the support of her parents, she then began learning about intellectual property and what it takes to run a family business.

NOAA Welcomes New Beechcraft King Air to its Fleet of Specialized Aircraft

NOAA’s newest aircraft, a Beechcraft King Air 350 CER turboprop, aircraft has arrived at the NOAA Aircraft Operations Center in Lakeland, Florida.

Apply Now: 2021 SelectUSA Investment Summit

Mark your calendar and make plans to attend the 2021 SelectUSA Investment Summit, June 7-11. The Investment Summit is the #1 business investment event in the United States and this year, will be a virtual experience to remember.

Commerce Data & Reports

Gross Domestic Product by State, 3rd Quarter 2020

Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased in all 50 states and the District of Columbia in the third quarter of 2020, as real GDP for the nation increased at an annual rate of 33.4 percent. The percent change in real GDP in the third quarter ranged from 52.2 percent in Nevada to 19.2 percent in the District of Columbia.

Census Bureau Statistics Show Change in Retail Sales Year to Year, Season to Season

Whether shopping for big-ticket items like houses, cars, appliances and furniture or for birthdays, Mother’s Day or holiday presents, Census Bureau statistics are the gifts that keep on giving.

The Number of Minority Nonemployer Firms Grew by Nearly 17% between 2014 and 2017

The Nation’s nearly 8.2 million minority nonemployer firms generated $279.3 billion in revenues in 2017 and grew in number at four times the rate of nonminority nonemployer firms between 2014 and 2017.

NIST Releases Draft Guidance on Internet of Things Device Cybersecurity

As the Internet of Things (IoT) grows to connect an amazing diversity of devices to electronic networks, four new publications from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) offer recommendations to federal agencies and manufacturers alike concerning effective cybersecurity for these devices.