US–China Trade Daily Highlights | 2026-01-28

1) Executive Summary

Two sanctions-related actions were published today by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Both actions involve updates to OFAC’s Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) List pursuant to Executive Orders 14059 and 13902. The measures include designations of individuals, entities, and vessels associated with illicit drug trafficking and other sanctionable activities. The principal policy tool applied today is economic sanctions through SDN listings.

2) Updates by Authority

Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)

Costa Rica Individuals and Entities — Sanctions Listing (Sanctions Action)

OFAC added several individuals and entities in Costa Rica to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) List under Executive Order 14059, Imposing Sanctions on Foreign Persons Involved in the Global Illicit Drug Trade. The action blocks all property and interests in property subject to U.S. jurisdiction of the designated persons and entities.

  • Key Details:
    • Authority: Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control
    • Policy Type: Sanctions Listing
    • Event Type: Sanctions
    • China Indicator: None
    • Legal authority: Executive Order 14059 (E.O. 14059)
    • Designated entities/persons: Multiple individuals and companies in Costa Rica, including Luis Manuel Picado Grijalba and affiliates
    • Effective date: January 22, 2026
    • Federal Register: Volume 91, Number 18, Pages 3782–3783 (FR Doc. 2026-01661)
  • Source:

Persons and Vessels — Sanctions Listing (Sanctions Action)

OFAC announced the designation of additional persons and vessels under its Sanctions programs, identifying them on the SDN List pursuant to Executive Order 13902. The listed vessels are noted as property in which blocked persons have an interest. All associated property and interests in property within U.S. jurisdiction are blocked.

  • Key Details:
    • Authority: Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control
    • Policy Type: Sanctions Listing
    • Event Type: Sanctions
    • China Indicator: None
    • Legal authority: Executive Order 13902 (E.O. 13902)
    • Designated assets: Individuals and vessels
    • Effective date: January 23, 2026
    • Federal Register: Volume 91, Number 18, Pages 3783–3786 (FR Doc. 2026-01646)
  • Source:

3) Key Takeaways (Factual)

  • OFAC issued two separate SDN List updates on January 22 and 23, 2026.
  • The first action targeted Costa Rican individuals and entities involved in illicit drug activities under Executive Order 14059.
  • The second action added individuals and vessels associated with sanctions authorized under Executive Order 13902.
  • Both actions result in blocking of property and prohibitions on transactions by U.S. persons.
  • These are routine updates within OFAC’s ongoing sanctions enforcement operations.

4) Full Source Links (Index)

5) Legal Disclaimer

This article includes content collected and summarized from publicly available U.S. government materials, including the Federal Register (federalregister.gov). The content presented is not an official government publication and does not represent the views of any U.S. government authority.

This article is provided for informational and research purposes only and does not constitute legal advice, compliance advice, or recommendations for any specific entity or transaction. Readers should refer to the original official documents and consult qualified professionals before making decisions based on this information.