On November 1, 2025, the White House published a Fact Sheet announcing that the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) will suspend the new “50% Rule”—also known as the “Affiliates Rule”—for one year, beginning November 10, 2025. The suspension was among several concessions reached during trade negotiations between the United States and
2025
Customs Broker Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy Charge in Latest FCPA Prosecution Following DOJ’s Recent Enforcement Restart
By Aaron C. Mandelbaum & Samir D. Varma on
On October 23, 2025, a customs broker operating in both the United States and Mexico pleaded guilty to conspiring to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) before a magistrate judge in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. Although the plea agreement remains under seal, it was approved and adopted the…
United States and Malaysia Sign Reciprocal Trade Agreement
On October 26, 2025, the United States and the Government of Malaysia signed an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade. The agreement is intended to “enhance reciprocity in their bilateral trade relationship by addressing tariff and non-tariff barriers;” and seeks to “strengthen their commercial relationship through increased alignment on national and regional economic security matters.” …
United States and Cambodia Sign Reciprocal Trade Agreement
On October 26, 2025, the United States and the Kingdom of Cambodia signed an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade. The agreement is intended to “enhance reciprocity in their bilateral trade relationship by addressing tariff and non-tariff barriers;” and seeks to “strengthen their commercial relationship through increased alignment on national and regional economic security matters.” …
United States and Vietnam Agree to Framework Agreement on Reciprocal Trade
- Vietnam’s preferential market access for substantially all U.S. industrial and agricultural exports.
- The continuation of U.S. reciprocal tariffs
United States and Thailand Agree to Framework Agreement on Reciprocal Trade
- Thailand’s elimination of tariff barriers on approximately 99 percent of goods, covering a full range of U.S. industrial, food
OFAC Sanctions Russia’s Two Largest Oil Companies
On October 22, 2025, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) placed Russia’s two largest oil companies on its Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List. This action was taken by the Treasury Department to “increase pressure on Russia’s energy sector and degrade the Kremlin’s ability to raise revenue for its war machine…
President Trump Announces New Section 232 Tariffs on Medium- and Heavy-Duty Trucks, Their Parts, and Buses Starting November 1, 2025
On October 17, 2025, President Donald Trump issued Proclamation 10984 announcing that, effective November 1, 2025, the United States will begin levying a 25% tariff on medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (“MHDVs”), a 25% tariff on medium- and heavy-duty vehicle parts (“MHDVPs”), and a 10% tariff on buses pursuant to Section 232 of the Trade Expansion…
USTR Issues Section 301 Determination on Nicaragua’s Abuses of Labor Rights and Human Rights Practices
On October 20, 2025, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) determined under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 that Nicaragua’s acts, policies, and practices related to abuses of labor rights, abuses of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and dismantling of the rule of law are unreasonable and burden or restrict U.S. commerce. The…