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Red Flags Rising

Red Flags Rising: S01 E05 – The Knowledge “Glass Onion” for U.S. Export Controls

Mike & Brent update listeners on the America First Trade Policy Section 4(c) Report Executive Summary (01:05) before previewing their forthcoming “Glass Onion” article in WorldECR magazine about the various layers of the “knowledge” standard under the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (03:18), including “actual knowledge” (07:23), “reason to know” (08:44), and “awareness of a high probability” (09:39). Mike & Brent then discuss relevant guidance from the U.S. Bureau of Industry & Security (12:44), parallels to U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act enforcement (13:30), how the “high probability” standard is becoming the new national security enforcement paradigm (14:56), and key takeaways for trade compliance professionals (16:49) before wrapping up with yet another edition of Brent Carlson’s “Managing Up” segment (19:07).

Mike & Brent’s new “Glass Onion” article (subscription required): [link forthcoming!]

Resources:

Brent LinkedIn

Mike LinkedIn

Mike & Brent’s “Fresh Looks” Series

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Red Flags Rising

Red Flags Rising: S01 E04 – FRESH LOOKS: Export Controls Penalties

In Episode 4, Mike and Brent revisit another of their prior “Fresh Looks” posts on the NYU Law School’s Program on Corporate Compliance & Enforcement (“PCCE”) blog. This one concerns export control penalties and what to make of recent statements attributed to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Undersecretary Jeffrey Kessler. Mike and Brent discuss the context for the original November 14, 2023, post (00:30), how historical FCPA penalties compared to U.S. export controls penalties prior to the April 2023 Seagate resolution (01:26), what current official statements and enforcement trends mean for c-suites and boards (02:59), a recent Export Compliance Daily article regarding internal BIS discussions about enforcement priorities (04:57), how to prepare (07:23) for high probability-based enforcement (08:52), the role of the DOJ’s National Security Division (11:01), and conclude with Brent Carlson’s “Managing Up” segment (12:30).

Resources:

Brent LinkedIn

Mike LinkedIn

Mike & Brent’s “Fresh Looks” Series

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Red Flags Rising

Red Flags Rising: S01 E03 – FRESH LOOKS: Loopholes and Liability Pitfalls

Mike & Brent revisit Brent’s original August 25, 2023, “Fresh Looks” post, “When Loopholes Create Liability Pitfalls: A Fresh Look at Export Controls.” They discuss what inspired Brent to write the article (00:40), the Inspur Group controversy (05:38), what legacy perspectives were missing about the compliance and enforcement risks (08:25), and parallels to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act enforcement (12:16), why Mike initially hated Brent’s article (13:19), how the risks that Brent highlighted in August 2023 are still relevant today (17:29), the key takeaways for trade compliance professionals (18:29), and the return by popular demand of Brent Carlson’s “Managing Up” segment on what trade compliance should explain to stakeholders, management, and boards about the risks identified in Brent’s article (20:41).

Check out Episode 2 for more on Secretary Lutnick’s March 18, 2025, remarks at the BIS Update conference (see the show notes for additional reporting)

Resources:

Brent’s NYU PCCE Post

Brent LinkedIn

Mike LinkedIn

Mike & Brent’s “Fresh Looks” Series

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Red Flags Rising

Red Flags Rising: S01 E02 – Lutnick: “We Have Had Enough”

Mike and Brent discuss remarks at the Bureau of Industry & Security’s “Update” Conference that started today in Washington, DC (00:00), specifically Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick’s statement that he would take a hard line against China (02:18), including a “dramatic increase” in enforcement (04:01) and fines (13:45). In the returning segment “Brent Carlson’s Managing-Up,” Brent identifies key takeaways for trade compliance professionals to share with stakeholders, management, and boards (15:31).

Resources:

The New York Times’ initial report by Ana Swanson about Secretary Lutnick’s Statements 

Ian Cohen’s Subsequent Reporting for Export Compliance Daily 

Brent LinkedIn

Mike LinkedIn

Mike & Brent’s “Fresh Looks” Series

Categories
Red Flags Rising

Red Flags Rising: S01 E01 – DeepSeek’s Deep Impact on Export Controls

In the launch of Red Flags Rising, Mike and Brent explain the concept and purpose of the pod (00:00), a recent report by Gregory C. Allen of the Center for Strategic and International Studies on “DeepSeek, Huawei, Export Controls, and the Future of the U.S.-China AI Race” (linked below) (01:43), the report’s emphasis on backing strong regulations with strong enforcement (04:49) and the recently rediscovered “high probability” knowledge standard under the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (06:50), whether and how the Commerce Department’s enforcement capability is impacted by recent policy and personnel decisions (11:00), parallels to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (13:54), and conclude with the first-ever “Brent Carlson on Managing Up” segment, providing practical tips on what trade compliance professionals can do to explain to stakeholders, the c-suite, and boards the value proposition of export controls compliance today (19:43).

Resources:

Gregory C. Allen’s Report

Mike & Brent’s “Fresh Looks” Series

Brent LinkedIn

Mike LinkedIn

Categories
All Things Investigations

All Things Investigations – DeepSeek’s AI Revolution: Implications for Compliance and Security

Welcome to the Hughes Hubbard Anti-Corruption & Internal Investigations Practice Group’s podcast, All Things Investigation. In this podcast, host Tom Fox is joined by HHR Partner Mike Huneke and Brent Carlson from the Berkeley Research Group.

Brent Carlson and Mike Huneke review the recent DeepSeek AI announcement, which has stirred significant debate in the business and compliance sectors. Brent views this development as a “Sputnik moment” in the technology space, highlighting both the exciting potential and the profound implications for national security and corporate strategy, particularly due to the dual-use nature of AI technologies. On the other hand, Mike has expressed concern over the contentious debates surrounding export controls, emphasizing the necessity for robust compliance frameworks to mitigate liability risks and adapt to the evolving AI landscape. Together, they stress the importance of incorporating high probability standards and reliable inputs into compliance programs to effectively navigate the complex challenges of advanced AI technologies like DeepSeek, ensuring corporate citizenship and strategic advantage in this new era.

Key highlights:

  • Groundbreaking AI Progress Raises National Security Concerns
  • AI Market Disruption by DeepSeek Technology
  • High Probability Standard in Export Control Compliance
  • Subjective Judgment in Compliance Risk Assessment Framework
  • Red Flag Detection with Data Analytics Tools

Resources:

Hughes Hubbard & Reed website

Brent Carlson on LinkedIn

A Fresh Look at US Export Controls and Sanctions

DeepSeek Finds US Export Controls at a New ‘Sputnik Moment’ in Bloomberg Law

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FCPA Compliance Report

FCPA Compliance Report – DeepSeek and the Sputnik Moment

Welcome to the award-winning FCPA Compliance Report, the longest-running podcast in compliance. In this episode, Tom welcomes back Mike Huneke and Brent Carlson for a special two-part podcast series on DeepSeek’s bombshell AI advancements announced on President Trump’s inauguration day. In Part 1, we reviewed the business and compliance implications, and in Part 2, they consider the Sputnik Moment that has occurred.

In this episode, we delve into the concept of the ‘Sputnik moment’ as it relates to the global race to dominate artificial intelligence (AI) technology in the 21st century. Our discussion highlights AI’s economic and military applications and its significance for the United States. The conversation touches on the role of compliance, enforcement, and the evolving regulatory landscape, including recent developments like the AI diffusion framework. The episode also explores the increasing responsibilities placed on U.S. companies and their compliance teams, especially concerning export controls and national security standards.

Key highlights:

  • Economic and Military Implications of AI
  • Compliance and Enforcement Challenges
  • The Role of Compliance Teams
  • Board of Directors’ Responsibilities

Resources:

Mike Huneke

Hughes Hubbard & Reed website

Brent Carlson on LinkedIn

A Fresh Look at US Export Controls and Sanctions

DeepSeek Finds US Export Controls at a New ‘Sputnik Moment’ in Bloomberg.Law

Tom Fox

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For more information on the Ethico Toolkit for Middle Managers, available at no charge, click here.

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FCPA Compliance Report

FCPA Compliance Report – DeepSeek and the Recalibration of Risk with Mike Huneke and Brent Carlson

Welcome to the award-winning FCPA Compliance Report, the longest-running podcast in compliance. In this episode, Tom welcomes back Mike Huneke and Brent Carlson for a special two-part podcast series on DeepSeek’s bombshell AI advancements announced on President Trump’s inauguration day. In Part 1, they review the business and compliance implications, and in Part 2, they consider the Sputnik Moment that has occurred.

In Part 1, they consider the immediate and significant repercussions in both the business and compliance landscapes. Key topics include the economic and geopolitical ramifications of DeepSeek’s innovations, changes in export control policies, and the unique compliance challenges AI technology poses. The discussion also examines how corporations can recalibrate their risk frameworks, integrate high-probability standards, and leverage data analytics to handle millions of transactions in a global economy. Emphasizing the importance of comprehensive compliance programs, the episode provides actionable insights for compliance professionals navigating this evolving landscape.

Key highlights:

  • DeepSeek’s AI Breakthrough
  • Economic and Compliance Implications
  • Export Controls and Legal Concerns
  • Compliance Strategies and Risk Management
  • Training and Organizational Culture

Resources

Mike Huneke

Hughes Hubbard & Reed website

Brent Carlson on LinkedIn

A Fresh Look at US Export Controls and Sanctions

DeepSeek Finds US Export Controls at a New ‘Sputnik Moment’ in Bloomberg.Law

Tom Fox

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

Twitter

LinkedIn

For more information on the Ethico Toolkit for Middle Managers, available at no charge, click here.

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FCPA Compliance Report

FCPA Compliance Report – Strategic ROI: Navigating Export Controls and Compliance

Welcome to the award-winning FCPA Compliance Report, the longest-running compliance podcast. In this episode, Tom welcomes back Brent Carlson and Mike Huneke to discuss a crucial topic in corporate compliance: the return on investment (ROI) in export controls compliance.

This pod reviews the challenges compliance professionals face in articulating the value proposition for investments in compliance programs. Brent and Mike highlight the misconceptions about compliance being merely a cost center and explore various ways to demonstrate its tangible benefits to executive teams and boards. The discussion also covers the impact of recent regulatory changes and geopolitical tensions and how companies can proactively address these shifts to ensure robust compliance and leverage new opportunities. By looking at past enforcement actions and drawing parallels with the evolution of the FCPA, the episode provides listeners with critical insights into the practical steps for enhancing compliance programs and the importance of staying ahead of regulatory expectations in a rapidly changing global trade environment.

Key highlights:

  • Setting the Stage for Compliance ROI
  • Challenges in Export Controls Compliance
  • Geopolitical Influences on Export Controls
  • Comparing Export Controls to FCPA
  • National Security and Economic Security
  • Solutions and Strategies for Compliance

Resources:

Hughes Hubbard & Reed website

Brent Carlson on Linkedin

Mike Huneke on LinkedIn

A Fresh Look at US Export Controls and Sanctions

Tom Fox

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

Twitter

LinkedIn

For more information on the Ethico Toolkit for Middle Managers, available at no charge, click here.

Categories
All Things Investigations

All Things Investigations – Mike Huneke on Navigating Uncharted Waters: Compliance Strategy in a Changing Administration

Welcome to the Hughes Hubbard Anti-Corruption & Internal Investigations Practice Group’s podcast, All Things Investigation. In this podcast, host Tom Fox joined Mike Huneke to explore the impact of the recent election on corporate compliance and enforcement.

Key topics include the continuity of corporate enforcement, the focus on national security in anti-corruption efforts, and the implications of U.S. policies on business operations in China. The dialogue also highlights the importance of a holistic and multidisciplinary approach to risk management and the need for corporations to engage in public policy discussions proactively. Mike provides a nuanced perspective on how businesses can navigate the evolving regulatory environment through detailed analysis and real-world examples.

Key highlights:

  • Corporate Enforcement Trends
  • FCPA Enforcement Policies
  • China Policy and Business Implications
  • Holistic Risk Management Framework
  • Proactive Public Engagement

Resources:

Hughes Hubbard & Reed website

Mike Huneke