Perspectives on International Trade & Investment

The USMCA does not require the use of CBP Form 434, as there is no prescribed format for certificate of origins under the USMCA.

President Trump signed an Executive Order, effective at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), suspending the processing of certain green card applications for 60 days. The suspension only applies to green card applicants who are outside the US as of the Effective Date and h

This updates our prior Alerts regarding the importation and distribution of face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. The daily news is replete with reports of various types of masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE) that pose supply challenges due to high demand.

Arent Fox International Trade Practice Leader Kay Georgi will speak during the live webinar “The Impact of COVID-19 on International Trade” hosted by American Bar Association Section of International Law’s International Trade Committee on April 20, 2020, at 5 PM ET.

Join us for a discussion on the key legal issues related to COVID-19 that international companies need to consider and watch out for. During this webinar, we will discuss the latest developments in the employment, international trade, insurance, and the CARES Act.

International Trade Partners Marwa Hassoun and Kay Georgi explain how FEMA’s new rule restricting the export of face masks, respirators, and other medical personal protective equipment works – how to get a license and what the penalties are.

FEMA has exercised its delegated authority under the Defense Production Act to issue a temporary final rule to prohibit the export of five types of medical PPE that the US government previously identified as scarce and threatened material in the COVID-19 pandemic.

This updates our prior Alert regarding the importation and distribution of respirators and other masks to be used to meet the significant US health care challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

What is the DPA? How has the administration used it in response to the COVID-19 crisis? What is the impact of the Administration’s DPA-related orders and memoranda? What about enforcement? What does it all mean for exporters?

To facilitate the importation of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other medical supplies responsive to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID–19) pandemic, the government continues to waive some tariffs, but balks on broad relief.

International Trade Partner Kay Georgi and Associate Sylvia Costelloe have an update on their Reference Guide containing a listing of governments that have and have not imposed export controls on the export of a variety of medical (and industrial) PPE.

Arent Fox LLP, on behalf of UAB Skyroad Leasing, filed a petition in the US District Court for the District of Columbia on March 18, 2020, seeking to enforce an arbitration award of more than $20 million against OJSC Tajik Air, Tajikistan’s state-owned airline.

This updates our prior Alert regarding the importation and distribution of face masks and respirators to be used to meet the significant US health care challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

After initially accepting requests from importers in light of the novel coronavirus (COVID–19) pandemic to defer payment of duties—a means of relief that the Trump Administration had reportedly been considering—US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued guidance withdrawing this option.

The DHS and ICE have issued Guidance Documents, Frequently Asked Questions, and a Reporting Template to guide higher education officials in staying in compliance with the applicable rules.

Employers are facing many employment decisions regarding their workforce amid the COVID-19 crisis. H-1B employees have rules particular to them which employers should bear in mind. This e-alert highlights the issues to consider. 

On Wednesday, March 25, 2020, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is scheduled to publish a Federal Register notice requesting comments on the removal of Section 301 tariffs from Chinese medical-care products—including those that have been previously denied an exclusion—needed to respond to the COV

The coronavirus (COVID-19) is affecting all elements of society – with changes coming every day. These changes include the import, trade and transportation sectors. We will keep you updated on these changes as they occur.

The federal law requires employers to physically inspect each employee’s Form I-9 documentation to prove their identity and work authorization. 

International Trade Partners Kay Georgi and Marwa Hassoun have an update on OFAC’s changes to the Reporting, Procedures and Penalties Regulations, 31 CFR §§ 501, et seq. related to reporting blocked, unblocked, or rejected transactions.

For those reading the tea leaves of US trade policy, an announcement earlier this week from the US International Trade Commission was an important development.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently released a Department-wide strategy to combat human trafficking, child exploitation and forced labor in the supply chain. 

The release on December 12, 2019, of the Hague Rules on Business and Human Rights Arbitration (the BHR Rules) offers a new and innovative dispute resolution option in the field of corporate responsibility.

Last week, the Trump Administration announced a plan to crack down on the sales of contraband and counterfeit goods online. The steps will affect a number of parties in the supply chain from importers and sellers to customs brokers and forwarders to e-commerce providers.

Employing foreign nationals in this uncertain and ever-changing immigration climate can be daunting.