In brief The government of Canada recently announced a significant 45-day consultation on economic security, which remains open until 23 September 2024. The purpose of the consultation is to consider measures to strengthen Canada’s “economic security and supply chain resilience” against the threat of “protectionist and nonmarket policies and practices” and “economic threats or coercion.” This alert provides an overview of recent legislative and policy measures focused on Canada’s economic security, which the result of…
On 1 July 2024, the Dutch government published a legislative proposal specifically aimed at ensuring national security in the defense sector, through the so-called Defense Resilience and Safety Related Sector Act (Wet weerbaarheid defensie en veiligheid gerelateerde industrie, the “Proposed Act”). Importantly, the Proposed Act – which needs to be seen in the broader context of current geopolitical tensions and Dutch and European policy priorities to safeguard strategic autonomy and prevent undue influence from undesired…
On July 8, 2024, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Investment Security announced a proposed rule that would expand the jurisdiction of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”) over transactions by foreign persons involving real estate in the United States. While CFIUS has jurisdiction over all acquisitions by foreign persons of US businesses, CFIUS also has authority to review acquisition of real estate unconnected with a US business where that real estate is…
In brief The Government of Canada recently passed Bill C-34, the National Security Review of Investment Modernization Act (“Bill C-34“), marking a turning point in the review of foreign investment in Canada. Bill C-34 enhances the Canadian government’s national security review powers under the Investment Canada Act (“ICA“) and introduces mandatory pre-closing filings for certain investments. The amendments are intended to address evolving threats arising from foreign investment and to ensure Canada’s economic security and prosperity. Bill…
In brief Canada has announced two complementary policies that will subject foreign investment in the interactive digital media (“IDM“) sector to enhanced scrutiny under the Investment Canada Act (“ICA“). IDM relates to digital content and/or digital environments where users can participate or collaborate, including certain mobile apps, video games, and virtual reality platforms. The Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry’s policy is intended to stop hostile state-sponsored or state-influenced actors (“SOEs“) from leveraging Canada’s IDM sector to spread…
Our popular Annual Compliance Conference, which attracts over 6,000 in-house senior legal and compliance professionals from across the world, will be held across five weeks from 5 September – 5 October 2023.We will be virtually delivering our cutting-edge insights and guidance on key global compliance, investigations and ethics issues. We invite you to join us to gain practical insights and analysis on significant developments across:• anti-bribery, corruption and economic crime• customs and FTAs• ESG, supply…
Samantha Mobley and Farin Harrison • In recent years, the investment policy landscape has become more complex as nations respond to national security threats, state development strategies and geopolitical risks. Covid-19 created a major economic shock worldwide, prompting some countries to take an even more stringent approach, with a focus on protecting the security of supply of inputs.• Many jurisdictions continue to tighten their screening rules or are introducing robust new measures to protect strategically…
The Annual Compliance Conference begins next week and attracts over 6,000 in-house senior legal and compliance professionals from across the world. This leading compliance conference will be held across five weeks from 6 September – 6 October 2022 We will be virtually delivering our cutting-edge insights and guidance on key global compliance, investigations and ethics issues. Our global experts will provide practical insights and analysis on significant developments:• anti-bribery• corruption and economic crime• customs and…