Is EV Data Really SCI? If U.S. Department Of State Wants U.S. Companies To Shift From Incredulousness To Embracing, Then Be Practical And Transparent Rather Than Secretive And Woefully Unprepared
/Let’s Go To The Videotape! Even AP, NBC News, And Miami Herald Can’t Obtain Electric Vehicle Rental Data From United States Department Of State
Are Daily Rental Rates For An Electric Vehicle Really Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI)?
Officials Created An Issue Where There Was None. Waste Of Time When Eight Questions Should Have Been Answered
If United States Department Of State Wants United States Companies To Shift From Incredulousness To Embracing, Then Be Practical And Transparent Rather Than Secretive And Woefully Unprepared
Is United States Department Of State Starring In “Waiting For Gadot”?
One additional reason United States companies may avoid engagement with micro, small, and medium-size enterprises (MSMEs) in the Republic of Cuba: The United States Department of State refusing to provide basic commercial information about its use of rented electric vehicles at the United States Embassy in Havana, Republic of Cuba.
The inexplicable lack of candor- not willing to provide the cost of the rentals or even how the electric vehicles are being charged, demonstrates a quite painful, agonizing, inadequacy of comprehending the definition of commercial information and need for commercial information and the reason for being transparent rather than embracing obstruction.
There were eight (8) fact-based questions (see below) submitted to the United States Department of State. There were two (2) responses issued (see below)- neither answering any of the eight questions. The following week, reporters for the Associated Press (AP) and NBC News asked for information during the daily Press Briefing at the United States Department of State- which is televised. The United States Department of State spokesperson did not provide answers to the two reporters. Later, a statement was provided to the two reporters and to a reporter from The Miami Herald. Neither statement addressed any of the initially-presented eight questions.
When Brian Nichols, Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, United States Department of State, uses the Twitter platform to deliver the following statement, United States companies are incredulous.
“One year ago, the U.S. announced several policy measures to empower the Cuban people. We delivered on our commitment to reunify Cuban-American families, expand travel, & restart remittances. We've also increased support to independent Cuban businesses, with more to announce soon.” 16 May 2023
When did he last convene a briefing for representatives of United States companies and United States business organizations? The White House through its Office of Public Engagement and National Security Council (NSC) conduct outreach to individuals and organizations of Cuban descent- inviting them to gatherings in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB). The problem with that focus is commercial, economic, financial, and investment engagement with MSMEs is not the sole purview of individuals of Cuban descent- nor should it be viewed as so.
The first licenses to engage with MSMEs from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the United States Department of the Treasury and Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) of the United States Department of Commerce were issued to companies owned not by individuals of Cuban descent.
Likely, the “more to announce soon” will consist of engagements authorized using general and specific licenses from the OFAC and BIS, along with authorizations from the United States Department of State.
However, the most important change yet to be implemented is to authorize Republic of Cuba government-operated financial institutions to have correspondent accounts with United States-based financial institutions.
In 2015, the Obama-Biden Administration (2009-2017) authorized United States-based financial institutions to have correspondent accounts with Republic of Cuba government-operated financial institutions, but did not authorize Republic of Cuba government-operated financial institutions to have correspondent accounts with United States-based financial institutions. The Biden-Harris Administration (2021- ) has continued the decision despite promoting its engagement efforts with the re-emerging MSMEs. Fixing the problem with direct correspondent banking is not a big deal. It is a technical fix to make workable what is not malfunctioning, but is nonfunctioning. A transaction requiring a third-country connection is not cost-effective, not efficient, and not transparent. It is expensive, inefficient, and absent transparency.
United States Department of State
Washington DC
22 May 2023
Briefing With Matthew Miller, Spokesperson
MR. MILLER: Matt, you want to close us off?
QUESTION (Matt Lee, Associated Press): Yeah, I just – and these will be extremely brief because I think you’ll only have a five-second answer for both. One, do you know anything about the U.S. embassy in Cuba renting Cuban Government EV cars that are made by China?
MR MILLER: I do not. As I think you —
QUESTION: Okay. Could you —
MR MILLER: As you seemed to anticipate.
QUESTION: Could you – yeah. Well, I just heard about it, so I didn’t think you would have anything, but I wanted to get it out there on the record.
MR MILLER: Thank you.
QUESTION: Can you – could you – or maybe not you, someone look into this and find out if it’s true and what the deal is? I mean, it might be completely innocent.
Subsequent statement delivered later on 22 May 2023 to AP from the United States Department of State: “There is a fuel crisis currently in Cuba. In order to maintain operations, the U.S. Embassy in Havana rented numerous electric cars that are available for rent in Havana. They will continue to do so until the crisis abates. There are no American-made electric cars in Cuba available for rent. The U.S. Embassy Havana currently does not operate any electric vehicles in its motor pool in Havana. All Department of State vehicles have a lifecycle and the Embassy is currently in the process of transitioning a large percentage of its vehicles to American-made electric vehicles and expects to have that process completed sometime in 2024. The vehicle needs of Embassy Havana vary daily as does the availability of various models of electric rental vehicles, their cost, and the Embassy offices which are in need of a vehicle.”
XXX
QUESTION (Andrea Mitchell, NBC News): Can I just – can I just follow up on something that Matt had asked?
MR MILLER: What – yeah.
QUESTION: There was apparently a license, an export license, issued more than a year ago to a Maryland-based company to export an electric car and a charger to the embassy, and that four were supposed to be sent, and for some reason, apparently, Brian Nichols did not approve that. So —
MR MILLER: I will say I’m not aware of these reports, and I think I will make it a practice not to comment on things that broke while I was at this podium that I have not had a chance to look into.
QUESTION: Understood.
LINK TO RELATED ANALYSIS
Why Is The United States Embassy In Havana, Republic Of Cuba, Renting Chinese-Built Electric Vehicles From A Republic Of Cuba Government-Operated Company?
Why Does United States Department Of State Refuse To Provide Details?
In January 2022, Assistant Secretary Of State Brian Nichols Refused An Offer By A Maryland-Based Company To Donate Four Electric Vehicle Chargers To The United States Embassy In Havana.
In 2017, First BIS License Issued To A United States Company To Export An Electric Vehicle And Charger From United States To An Embassy In Havana. BIS License Included United States Embassy; Company Reported Outreach From United States Embassy.
In 2022, First BIS License Issued To United States Company For Exporting Electric Vehicles To Cuban Nationals And Micro, Small, And Medium-Size Enterprises (MSMEs).
3 December 2021 from the United States Department of State: “The Biden Administration has clearly articulated the United States’ goal to accelerate and deploy electric vehicles and charging stations, create good-paying, union jobs, and enable a clean transportation future to combat climate change. However, the United States Embassy in Cuba does not operate any electric vehicles nor has any solar power charging stations at our Embassy compound or residences in Havana. At this time, it would be unlikely that the United States Embassy consider importing one or more electric vehicles for use in Cuba in the near future due to impediments in the electrical infrastructure and lack of trained mechanics on the island to service electric vehicles.”
Operating in the Republic of Cuba are Amsterdam, Netherlands-based Stellantis N.V.-owned Sochaux, France-based Peugeot DTSR-171 electric vans (through a Republic of Cuba-based distributor) and Yokohama, Japan-based Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Nissan NV200e electric vans. Republic of Cuba government-operated companies Aguas de la Habana (with ten vehicles) and ETECSA use electric vans. These companies would not be using electric vehicles in the Republic of Cuba if mechanics were lacking. Electric vehicles from the People’s Republic of China are available through Vehiculos Electricos Del Caribe (https://www.vedca.cu/) and Republic of Cuba government-operated Transtur
3 February 2022 from the United States Department of State: “On behalf of Ambassador Nichols, I would like to extend our gratitude to you for your generous offer to donate and install four electric vehicle chargers for use at the United States Embassy in Cuba. The Biden-Harris Administration has articulated the United States’ goal to accelerate and deploy electric vehicles and charging stations, and to enable a clean transportation future to combat climate change. The United States Embassy in Cuba currently does not operate any electric vehicles at our Embassy compound or residences in Havana. Due to impediments in the electrical infrastructure and a lack of trained mechanics on the island to service electric vehicles, it is unlikely that the United States Embassy will consider importing one or more electric vehicles for use in Cuba in the near future. Given that your donation would largely remain unused at this time, we politely decline your kind offer. Thank you again and best wishes on your continued efforts exporting green technologies throughout the Caribbean.”
Fifteen months later, why was not the first thought of Brian Nichols, Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs (WHA), United States Department of State, to direct the Office of Cuban Affairs within WHA to contact again Colombia, Maryland-based Premier Automotive Export, Ltd., company which in January 2022 offered to donate and install electric vehicle chargers to the United States Embassy in Havana and which in November 2022 was the first United States-based company to obtain licenses (five since 2017) from Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) of the United States Department of Commerce to export electric vehicles from the United States to the Republic of Cuba?
The United States Embassy in Havana, Republic of Cuba, is renting reportedly four (4) electric vehicles manufactured in the People’s Republic of China from a Republic of Cuba government-operated company. The following questions were posed to the United States Department of State:
1) When was each vehicle rented?
2) How many vehicles are rented?
3) The name of the manufacturer of each vehicle?
4) From which company in the Republic of Cuba were the vehicles rented?
5) How much is the United States Department of State paying for each vehicle?
6) What is the duration for the rental of each vehicle?
7) Please provide an image of each vehicle.
8) How are the vehicles being re-charged at the United States Embassy?
The United States Department of State provided via email two statements. Both are attributable to a United States Department of State Official:
8 May 2023: “The Embassy is facing an emergency fuel crisis and is renting various electric vehicles from a local car rental agency until the crisis subsides. There are no American made electric vehicles available to rent in Cuba.”
9 May 2023: “As noted in our previous response, the Embassy is facing an emergency fuel crisis and has taken temporary measures to ensure continuity of operations. Because of the fluid situation regarding fuel, the details you request change on a daily basis. The rental agency is not listed on the Cuba Restricted List. There is nothing more to share at this time.”
During the Obama-Biden Administration (2009-2017) and then during the Trump-Pence Administration (2017-2021) Colombia, Maryland-based Premier Automotive Export, Ltd., and Miami, Florida-based Premier Automotive Export. Ltd., were awarded the first two licenses from the BIS to export electric vehicles and electric vehicle charging stations from the United States to the Republic of Cuba. Exports to the United States Embassy in the city of Havana, Republic of Cuba, were specifically authorized by the second license. PAE has received five BIS licenses since 2017 including the first BIS license to export an electric vehicle to an embassy located in the Republic of Cuba. LINK.
On 17 November 2022, the Biden-Harris Administration (2021- ) approved a license application to the BIS submitted on 22 October 2022 by PAE to export electric vehicles and chargers to republic of cuba nationals with the “ULTIMATE CONSIGNEE: Privately owned companies in the Republic of Cuba owned by Cuba Nationals.” The BIS license is valid until 30 November 2026.
24 January 2022
The Honorable
Brian A. Nichols
Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs
United States Department of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington DC 20520
Dear Ambassador Nichols: (excerpts)
I am writing you today to obtain authorization for my company to donate to the United States Department of State four (4) electric vehicle (EV) chargers for use at the Embassy of the United States in the city of Havana, Republic of Cuba, and for use at the Residence of the United States Ambassador in the city of Havana, Republic of Cuba. My company would also coordinate the installation if beneficial to expediting the process…. I previously received from the Embassy of the United States in the Republic of Cuba an inquiry about sourcing an electric vehicle.
2- Clipper Creek LCS-40, Clipper Creek Level II Charger is a 40 Amp charger fitted with the J-1772 universal charging connector, EAR99, US$875.00, https://store.clippercreek.com/residential/hcs-40-hcs-40p-ev-charging-station
2- Tesla Wall Connector Gen 3 (208/240V), EAR 99, US$550.00, https://www.tesla.com/support/home-charging
One Clipper Creek EV charger would be located at the United States Embassy and one Clipper Creek EV Charger would be located at the Residence of the United States Ambassador. One Tesla EV charger would be located at the United States Embassy and one Tesla EV Charger would be located at the Residence of the United States Ambassador.
The reason for the donation of electric vehicle chargers from different manufacturers is twofold. First, unknown which manufacturer and model of electric vehicle(s) will the United States Department of State purchase for use in the Republic of Cuba. Second, the Biden-Harris Administration continues to promote favorably manufacturers and models of electric vehicles from companies with union representation for their employees. Austin, Texas-based Tesla, Inc., is non-union. Detroit, Michigan-based General Motors Company; Dearborn, Michigan-based Ford Motor Company; and Amsterdam, The Netherlands-based Stallantis N.V. (Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, etc.) are union.
Background
On 17 November 2022, the Biden-Harris Administration (2021- ) approved a license application submitted on 22 October 2022 by Columbia, Maryland-based Premier Automotive Export, Ltd. (PAE) to the BIS to export electric vehicles and chargers to republic of cuba nationals with the “ULTIMATE CONSIGNEE: Privately owned companies in the Republic of Cuba owned by Cuba Nationals.” The BIS license is valid until 30 November 2026. PAE has received five BIS licenses since 2017 including the first BIS license to export an electric vehicle to an embassy located in the Republic of Cuba. LINK.
LINK: Home Delivery For Electric Scooters To Cuba: As Biden-Harris Administration Expands U.S. Export Opportunities, A U.S. Company Responds Quickly To Customer Requests. Next Correspondent Banking? December 04, 2022
LINK: Ten Months After Denial, Biden-Harris Administration Approves Exports Of Electric Motorcycles, Electric Scooters To Cuba Nationals And To Privately-Owned Companies In Cuba October 05, 2022
On 28 September 2022, the BIS issued a license to PAE for the export of electric scooters and electric bicycles to Republic of Cuba nationals and to MSMEs.
On 15 December 2021, the BIS denied a license application submitted on 30 September 2021 by PAE to export electric vehicles and chargers to republic of cuba nationals. From the license application: “Specific End Use- Ordinary Cuban Nationals would be the specific End User and purchasing electric vehicle for their own personal transportation.”
From the BIS: “There is a general policy of denial for exports and reexports to Cuba of items subject to the EAR, as described in Section 746.2(b) of the EAR. However, there are exceptions to the general policy of denial, some of which are listed below: … Items necessary for the environmental protection of U.S. and international air quality, waters and coastlines, including items related to renewable energy or energy efficiency, are generally approved.”
A license exception is a general authorization to export or reexport certain items without a license under stated conditions. Only the license exceptions, or portions thereof, listed Section 746.2(a)(1) of the EAR are available for Cuba…. Support for the Cuban People: License Exception Support for the Cuban People (SCP) “§ 740.21 Support for the Cuban People (SCP). (a) Introduction. This License Exception authorizes certain exports and reexports to Cuba that are intended to support the Cuban people by improving their living conditions and supporting independent economic activity; strengthening civil society in Cuba; and improving the free flow of information to, from, and among the Cuban people. (b) Improving living conditions and supporting independent economic activity.…. (1) Items for use by the Cuban private sector for private sector economic activities… (2) Items sold directly to individuals in Cuba for their personal use or their immediate family's personal use,” LINK
Potential customers of PAE have inquired about installment payments for the purchase of EVs. As monthly payments would be minimal in value, the fees for sending the funds through a third country financial institution may be a substantial percentage of the installment amount. Flexibility to provide installment payments will further enhance the cashflow of an MSME and further connect the MSME with the United States-based company. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the United States Department of the Treasury needs to re-authorize direct correspondent banking.
LINK TO COMPLETE ANALYSIS IN PDF FORMAT
LINKS TO RELATED ANALYSES
Cuba Reports Creation Of 294 New MSMEs. 3.7% Are Government-Operated Companies Becoming "Private" Companies. May 10, 2023
