Thompson Hine International Trade

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The Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has indicated that CBP intends to add forced labor to its list of priority trade issues. The COAC issued draft recommendations on how to “ensure a more holistic U.S. government-wide approach to addressing forced labor.” The COAC Forced Labor Working Group…

Since April 2020, we have collaborated with foreign law firm partners to monitor and report on the most relevant government measures worldwide addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. The newest version of the guide includes a concise, corporate-focused and user-friendly list of government measures and covers areas like tax, restructuring, business immigration, government contracts and international trade.…

On March 2, 2021, the Departments of Commerce, State and the Treasury imposed sanctions and export restrictions on numerous Russian officials and government entities in response to the Russian Federation’s imprisonment and alleged previous poisoning of opposition figure Aleksey Navalny. These actions follow similar sanctions imposed by the European Union and the United Kingdom. Dozens…

On February 4, 2021, a three-judge panel at the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) denied a broad challenge by Universal Steel Products and several other importers (“plaintiffs”) to Section 232 tariffs that former President Donald Trump placed on steel imports. The plaintiffs had challenged both the report by the U.S. Department of Commerce (“Commerce”)…

Key Notes:

  • Many countries have taken various health and safety measures to address the rising number of COVID-19 cases and the new COVID-19 variants.
  • Governments continue to support workers and employers affected by the economic instability caused by the pandemic.
  • Rollout of COVID-19 vaccines and investments in critical infrastructure are the key issues in government

…

On January 27, 2021, the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) issued an opinion in which it dismissed all but one claim challenging on various grounds a proclamation by former President Donald Trump (Proclamation 9980) that imposed 25% tariffs on, inter alia, various imported products made of steel pursuant to Section 232 of the Trade…

Key Notes:

  • Tighter requirements for domestic content under consideration.
  • New Made in America Office to be established and Made in America director to be appointed.
  • Waivers to domestic preference laws subject to heightened scrutiny.

As part of his “Build Back Better” initiative, President Biden issued an executive order (EO) Tuesday that tightens Buy American requirements…

Key Notes:

  • U.S. persons must divest their holdings of publicly traded securities, derivatives and similar instruments of CCMCs by November 11, 2021.
  • Holdings in mutual funds and other pooled investment vehicles are subject to the divestment requirements.

On January 13, President Trump amended his previously issued Executive Order to address confusion over whether U.S. persons…

Impact of the 2020 Election on U.S. Trade Policy: Trump Transformation to Biden Restoration?

Addressing a key 2016 campaign promise, President Trump transformed decades of U.S. trade policy by weaponizing tariffs, ramping up enforcement and focusing on bilateral trade in goods. Will President-elect Biden continue any of these policies or attempt to restore the multilateral…