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The Department of State has updated the list of Participants authorized to trade in rough diamonds under the Clean Diamond Trade Act and the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. This updated list includes the Importing and Exporting Authorities of each Participant and adds the United Kingdom as an independent Participant. The purpose of this list is to ensure compliance with the Act and does not affect any other trading laws. The changes are effective as of January 8, 2021.

In a proclamation from January 18, 2021, President Donald J. Trump announced the end of travel restrictions for people traveling from the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, and Brazil to the United States, effective January 26, 2021. These restrictions were originally imposed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The decision follows the CDC's new requirement for travelers to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test before entering the United States. The removal of restrictions reflects confidence in the cooperation of these regions in managing safe travel and combating the virus, contrasting with ongoing restrictions for China and Iran due to their lack of cooperation.

The Department of Justice's Antitrust Division announced changes in the membership of the Pistoia Alliance, Inc., a group involved in cooperative research. New members added to the alliance include companies and individuals from various countries like the UK, Germany, and the United States. Some members, such as UniteLabs AG from Switzerland and Repositive from the UK, have withdrawn from the group. The alliance's membership remains open, and they will continue to disclose future membership changes.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative announced that the United Kingdom (UK) can continue exporting under the U.S. tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) designated for European Union (EU) member countries in 2021. This decision comes after the UK's departure from the EU, which was finalized on December 31, 2020. These quotas, described in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, specifically include certain quotas for dairy products. The U.S. Trade Representative can adjust these quotas, and the UK is allowed to designate importers for cheese and other products as it has in previous years.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is asking for public comments on an emergency information collection requirement. This relates to ensuring that airline passengers traveling from the United Kingdom to the United States show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days before departure. The test must be a viral test, and passengers need to keep documentation of their negative results. Airlines will also be required to keep records of passengers' negative test attestations. The CDC wants feedback on the necessity, accuracy, and potential burden of this information collection.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) determined that the United Kingdom's Digital Services Tax (DST) is unreasonable and discriminatory towards U.S. digital companies. The tax targets certain online services and has revenue thresholds that disadvantage U.S. businesses, while also conflicting with international tax principles by applying to revenue instead of income. This tax is seen as an unreasonable burden on U.S. commerce, and further proceedings will decide what actions, if any, the U.S. will take in response.

The proclamation issued by President Joseph R. Biden Jr. on January 25, 2021, restricts entry into the United States for noncitizens who have been in specific countries recently affected by COVID-19, such as the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Brazil, and South Africa. This decision is based on the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to protect public health due to new virus strains circulating in these regions. There are exceptions, including for U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and certain others, like spouses and children of U.S. citizens or lawful residents, as well as individuals involved in virus containment. The proclamation aims to prevent further spread of the virus into the United States and will stay in effect until modified or terminated by the President.