Insights on International Trade & Investment

Following a tweet from President Donald Trump that there was “big news coming soon” for the automotive industry, the Department of Commerce (DOC) formally announced on May 24, 2018 an investigation into the impact of certain automotive imports on US national security interests.

The Trump Administration did an about-face over the weekend, announcing that the sweeping 25 percent tariffs on products imported from China were placed on hold, as the two countries try to iron out a deal that would avoid the impending trade war.

The May 21 notice provides guidance on the manner in which imports whose exclusion requests are approved by the DOC should be entered in order to avoid the Section 232 duties.

Following the Presidential Proclamations issued April 30, 2018 regarding the imposition of double-digit tariffs on certain steel and aluminum imports (Section 232 tariffs), US Customs and Border Protection published further guidance detailing the implementation of the Section 232 tariffs.

Canadian business leaders greeted the President’s announcement that the exemptions for Canada (and Mexico) from the double-digit “Section 232 tariffs” on certain steel and aluminum imports will be extended an additional month, or May 31, 2018.

On May 8, 2018, President Trump announced that the United States is withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business has recognized 30 Arent Fox LLP attorneys as leaders in their field.

Arent Fox International Trade Practice Group Leader Kay Georgi and Counsel Regan Alberda will speak at the 2018 Conference on the Impact of Export Controls on Higher Education and Scientific Institutions.

US Customs and Border Protection published guidance for claiming refunds on duty preference claims made under the Generalized System of Preferences between the program’s expiration on December 31, 2017 and the implementation date of its reauthorization date, April 22, 2018.

Arent Fox is pleased to announce the launch of a new Blockchain group that pulls together attorneys from a number of the firm’s top practices to help clients navigate this emerging technology.

Importers of known industries where North Korean forced labor is used, such as footwear, textiles, seafood, mining, pharmaceuticals, and logging, must exert caution or be prepared to face the consequences.

On March 22, 2018, President Trump signed a memorandum directing the US Trade Representative (USTR) to publish a proposed list of approximately 1,300 products of Chinese origin that would be subject to an additional 25 percent ad valorem tariff, pursuant to Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.

On March 22, 2018, President Trump signed a memorandum that marks the start of a multi-faceted trade offensive against China designed to respond to the Administration’s findings of misappropriation of US intellectual property and discriminatory technology licensing practices.

Yesterday, March 8, 2018, President Trump formally announced and signed the proclamations to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports pursuant to Section 232 of the US Trade Expansion Act of 1962.

On February 27, the Center for International Business & Human Rights at the University of Oklahoma College of Law held the inaugural meeting of its Advisory Board.

Now that the President has made his determination on the tariffs to be applied as a result of the Section 232 investigations of certain imports of steel and aluminum products, boardrooms around the globe are pondering the short and long-term implications to their corporate bottom lines.

This year, Arent Fox recognizes Partner Richard Webber and Associates Cesar Francia and Karen Van Essen for pro bono work that consistently goes above and beyond with comprehensive, long-term projects and deep dedication.

At the end of January 2018, the Trump Administration took two actions related to the Russia/Ukraine sanctions program under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act of 2017 (CAATSA), the law that President Trump signed on August 2, 2017.

The NAFTA renegotiations entered a critical stage in January, with all eyes now turned to the next round scheduled for February 25, 2018 in Mexico City.

The Commerce Department released its redacted public version of the Section 232 reports on the effects of imports of steel and aluminum on national security.

International Trade Practice Group Leader Kay Georgi and Counsel Regan Alberda discussed economic sanctions under President Donald Trump in an article for The Current: The Journal of the PLI Press.

Right before the holidays, President Trump and his Administration took significant steps toward using economic sanctions to tackle international human rights abuses and corruption.

The beginning of a new year often brings new regulations or changes to programs. Customs programs are no exception. We have listed some key January 2018 changes for importers below.

Arent Fox LLP is pleased to announce the election of 10 new partners and two new counsel, effective January 1, 2018.