On March 12, 2026, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced that it was launching Section 301 investigations into 60 trade partners to determine whether they have been engaged in forced labor practices. The investigations, to be conducted pursuant to Section 301of the Trade Act of 1974, include China, the European Union, India, and Mexico. A
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USTR Initiates Section 301 Investigations into the Acts, Policies & Practices of Certain Economies Relating to Structural Excess Capacity and Production in Manufacturing Sector
By Scott E. Diamond** & David M. Schwartz on
On March 11, 2026, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) initiated investigations into the Acts, Policies, and Practices of Certain Economies Relating to Structural Excess Capacity and Production in Manufacturing Sectors under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. This announcement had been expected since the Supreme Court of the United States…
USTR Initiates Public Consultation Process for USMCA Joint Review
Update: On November 7, 2025, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative issued a notice rescheduling the public hearing on the operation of the Agreement between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada (USMCA). Originally scheduled for November 17, the hearing will now take place from December 3 to 5…
U.S. Supreme Court to Review the Legality of Trump Administration’s IEEPA-Based Tariffs
On September 9, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review a consolidation of two cases challenging the legality of tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). It has scheduled oral arguments for the first week of November, an unusually swift timeline for the Court.
The first case…
Federal Circuit Rules that Trafficking and Reciprocal Tariffs Violate IEEPA
On August 29, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (“the Court” or “Federal Circuit”) in a 7-4 ruling determined that President Donald Trump exceeded his authority by imposing certain tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The Court also affirmed the grant of declaratory relief of the U.S. Court…
President Trump Announces Higher Reciprocal Tariffs for Canada and Extends Mexico’s Current Tariff Rate for 90 Days During Ongoing Negotiations
On July 31, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order amending the tariff rate on imports from Canada and announced that Mexico’s current tariff rate will remain unchanged for an additional 90 days to allow for continued negotiations.
Canada Tariffs – Pursuant to a July 31, 2025 Executive Order, President Trump has modified…
FinCEN Issues Landmark Orders Sanctioning Foreign Banks for Alleged Opioid-Related Money Laundering
For the first time, the Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) invoked the Fentanyl Sanctions Act and the Fend OFF Fentanyl Act on June 25, 2025, to issue three separate orders that each designate a Mexico-based financial institution as a “primary money laundering concern in connection with illicit opioid trafficking.” The three…
CAFC Maintains President Trump’s IEEPA Tariffs Pending Final Decision
On June 10, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) issued a stay keeping both tranches of President Donald Trump’s tariffs implemented under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA) (50 U.S.C. § 1701 et seq.) in effect until final adjudication by the appellate court. The per curiam (…
Section 232 Aluminum and Steel Tariffs Increased to 50% Except for UK; Significant Changes Made to Calculating and “Stacking” of Tariffs
President Donald Trump issued a Proclamation on June 3, 2025 increasing the previously imposed Section 232 tariffs on aluminum and steel products and their derivatives from 25% to 50%. These increased tariffs were effective June 4, 2025. The proclamation excluded products of the United Kingdom which stay at 25% until July 9, 2025.
U.S. Customs…
Second Federal Court Determines IEEPA Tariffs Likely Invalid
On May 29, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (USDC-DC) issued a preliminary injunction ruling staying the imposition of President Donald Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). This preliminary injunction applies to tariffs that would be paid by the two named plaintiffs – Learning Resources, Inc. and…