Update: On July 31, 2025, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released Cargo Systems Messaging Service (CSMS) # 65794272 providing guidance on applying the 50% Section 232 ad valorem duty on all imports of semi-finished copper products and intensive copper derivative products imposed by President Donald Trump on July 30, 2025. This guidance provides instructions on
USTR Initiates Section 301 Investigation of Brazil’s Trading Practices
On July 15, 2025, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), at the direction of President Donald Trump, initiated an investigation of Brazil under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. The investigation will seek to determine whether acts, policies, and practices of the government of Brazil related to digital trade and
Trump Administration Initiates Section 232 Investigation into Imports of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and Seeks Public Comments
On July 1, 2025, the Department of Commerce initiated an investigation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended, to determine the effects on the national security of imports of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and their parts and components. The Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) subsequently issued a Notice
Trump Administration Initiates Section 232 Investigation into Imports of Polysilicon and Seeks Public Comments
On July 1, 2025, the Department of Commerce initiated an investigation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, as amended, to determine the effects on the national security of imports of polysilicon and its derivatives (items considered to be critical solar energy inputs). The Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) subsequently issued a
President Trump Orders Unwinding of 2020 Acquisition of U.S. Audio Visual Technology Company by Chinese Company
On July 11, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order directing that the February 2020 acquisition of Jupiter Systems, LLC of Delaware, and several of its foreign based subsidiaries (Jupiter), by Suirui International Co., Ltd. (Suirui), a Hong Kong/Chinese company, be unwound. Stating only that there is “credible evidence” Suirui might take action that threatens
OFAC Continues to Extend Russia General License 13 Authorizing Transactions Ordinarily Incident and Necessary for Operations in Russia
On July 8, 2025, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) again extended previous Russia-related General License (GL) 13 by issuing a revised GL 13N, “Authorizing Certain Administrative Transactions Prohibited by Directive 4 under Executive Order 14024,” which states that U.S. persons are authorized to pay taxes, fees, or import
President Trump Extends the Deadline for Implementing Reciprocal Tariffs
On July 7, 2025, based on “additional information and recommendation from various senior officials”, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order determining that it is “necessary and appropriate” to again extend the suspension on reciprocal tariffs originally implemented by an earlier Executive Order on April 2, 2025. The proposed reciprocal tariffs will be suspended until
President Trump Announces Revocation of Syria Sanctions and Waiver of Other Sanctions and Export Controls
On June 30, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order (EO) that removes sanctions on Syria, provides for the issuance of waivers that will permit the relaxation of export controls and other restrictions on Syria, and otherwise seeks to support “the positive actions” taken by the new Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa. The
Reissuance of 2017 National Security Presidential Memorandum on Policy Towards Cuba
On June 30, 2025, President Donald Trump reissued National Security Presidential Memorandum (NSPM-5) to address U.S. policy towards Cuba. This version of NSPM-5 revises and amends the earlier version of NSPM-5 issued in June 2017 (see Thompson Hine Update of June 20, 2017).
NSPM-5 includes several policy statements including continued support of economic
Commerce Publishes Federal Register Notice Modifying HTSUS for Implementing General Terms of U.S. and UK Trade Deal
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA) has published a Federal Register notice indicating that effective June 30, 2025, in consultation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. International Trade Commission, it has revised relevant provisions of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United State (HTSUS) to conform with changes specified