ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - December 3, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - December 3, 2024

ZeroFox physical security experts collect, curate, and analyze information derived from open and proprietary sources for comprehensive context of the circumstances surrounding global events. Here is today’s daily roundup of major developments.

Brief Highlights

• Over Fifty Dead in Soccer Match Riot in Guinea
• The United States Announces Further Export Restrictions on China’s Chip Sector
• Mercosur Summit in Montevideo, Uruguay, Where Trade Deal with EU Could Be Ratified

Over Fifty Dead in Soccer Match Riot in Guinea

On-field decisions in a soccer match have led to a major crowd-trampling incident that caused the deaths of at least 56 people in Nzérékoré, Guinea. The match was being held as part of a tournament celebrating Guinea's military leader, General Mamady Doumbouya, who is likely to run for President and has been using soccer games to increase his popularity. While this incident appears linked to on-field decisions, incensed fans, and improper use of crowd control agents such as tear gas, the aftermath may weigh on Guinea's political future.

The United States Announces Further Export Restrictions on China’s Chip Sector

On December 2, 2024, the United States announced new export restrictions on the Chinese semiconductor industry, restricting exports to 140 companies. The export restrictions aim to limit China’s ability to make advanced semiconductors used in weapon systems and artificial intelligence. The control measures will hit Chinese chipmakers such as Piotech, ACM Research, SiCarrier Technology, and Naura Technology Group. They will likely hurt Lam Research, KLA, Applied Materials, and non-U.S. companies such as Dutch equipment maker ASML International and South Korean Samsung Electronics. The new rule broadens the scope of export curbs on equipment made in Israel, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan. China accused the United States of economic coercion and threatened to take measures to safeguard the rights and interests of its firms.

Mercosur Summit in Montevideo, Uruguay, Where Trade Deal with EU Could Be Ratified

On December 5 and December 6, 2024, the Mercosur states of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay will hold their annual summit, this time in the Uruguayan capital, Montevideo. Trade agreements will be the key topic, with a potential trade deal with the EU being discussed and others with the United Arab Emirates, a grouping of Asian states, and a potential Argentina-U.S. trade deal. The Argentina-U.S. deal is a topic of discussion because Mercosur traditionally does not allow individual trade deals between its members. The potential EU deal, after being negotiated for two decades, was finally approved in 2020. However, the agreement has not been ratified because certain EU agricultural states have rejected it. Mercosur states mainly export agricultural products like corn, beef, chicken, wheat, and soybeans, while they import advanced technologies, machines, and textiles. Mercosur is also transitioning from an energy-importing region to one that can export natural gas and oil.