After years of trade disputes, US and European Union officials are considering a drastic change in direction: a US-EU trade pact. It would be the world’s largest trade agreement, and could give a significant boost to both struggling economies.

The Executive Spotlight series will feature several of Amber Road’s key thought leaders as they discuss what they see as the biggest challenges and trends in the GTM space.

Yet another bank is being fined for violating U.S. sanctions by conducting business with Iran.  According to Reuters, Asian-focused bank Standard Chartered is expected to pay $330 million to settle a case with U.S. regulators.

The European Union will reduce its renewal term for sanctions on Syria to three months from an expected year. EU diplomats think that doing so will make it easier to equip rebels fighting to depose President Bashar al-Assad.

The Obama administration is looking to finalize its much-anticipated Trans-Pacific Partnership, an 11-nation regional trade agreement that, if successful, will expand American exports and economic influence in Asia.

On November 30, 2012, the United States’ Senate passed the Menendez amendment (SA 3232) adding stronger Iran sanctions to the National Defense Authorization Act. Key features of the amendment, drafted by Senators Robert Menendez, Mark Kirk, and Joe Lieberman, according to Robert Menendez’ website, are that it:

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has recently proposed a new rule regarding the control of military electronic equipment and related items. The rule mandates that the President will no longer determine warrant control under the United States Munitions List (USML), but rather on the Commerce Control List (CCL). This rule is being proposed along with another from the Department of State‘s Directorate of Defense Controls, which would amend the list of articles controlled by USML Category XI.