Perspectives on International Trade & Investment

If the turbulence of 2018 caused business executives grief, the year ahead is unlikely to provide much relief.  Foremost is the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). If most political pundits are correct, the three governments will likely be able to ratify the USMCA in time to be in full fo

In the last hour of the last day of last month, with 30 minutes to spare, US Trade Representative Lighthizer met the US self-imposed deadline and formally sent to Congress the agreed-upon text of a US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA.

The Trump Administration recently announced several major decisions, including: finalizing the List 3 products subject to additional duties and revealing its implementation schedule.

The United States and Mexico announced an agreement on August 27, 2018 regarding key issues that have been the focus of trilateral discussions among the US, Mexico and Canada for over a year.

All Bark and No Bite? State Department Explains Further the Waivers of the CBW Sanctions Against the Russian Government, Confirming that Many Exports, Even of National Security Controlled Items, Can Still Be Exported to Russia.

The US Administration announced that it would be imposing sanctions on the Russian Government under the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act of 1991 (CBW Act) over the use of a “Novichok” nerve agent in an attempt to assassinate UK citizen Sergei Skripal.

International Trade Associate Leah Scarpelli will speak on Section 301 tariffs during a webinar for Plumbers Manufacturers International on August 9 at 11:00am ET.

The President issued an Executive Order on August 6, 2018, “Reimposing Certain Sanctions With Respect to Iran” (the New Iran EO), which re-imposes relevant provisions of five Iran sanctions EOs (EOs 13574, 13590, 13622, and 13645).

US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer issued a statement on August 2, 2018, advising that President Trump has directed him to consider raising the previously proposed 10% additional duty to be applied to $200 billion worth of Chinese goods (referred to as the List 3 products) to 25%.

Most US and multi-national corporations are quick to say, “we don’t do business with North Korea.” However, some companies will recognize the risk of sourcing products from businesses located outside North Korea that may use North Korean overseas workers or subcontract to North Korean companies. The

On July 18, 2018, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced the initiation of a Section 232 investigation into the impact of uranium imports on America’s national security.

On July 6, 2018, the implementation day for the Section 301 “List 1” duties, the United States Trade Representative released the procedures for filing exclusion requests for List 1 products subject to the 25 percent tariff pursuant to Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.

Today, the Government of Canada released the final list of goods that will be subject to retaliatory tariffs effective July 1, 2018.

On June 15, the United States Trade Representative released two product lists relating to Section 301 duties.

Despite Secretary Mnuchin’s statement last week that the Section 301 tariffs were “on hold,” President Trump announced this morning that he is moving ahead with the additional 25 percent ad valorem tariffs on certain Chinese imports to protect US intellectual property rights.

The 2018 edition of Legal 500 US has rated 50 Arent Fox LLP attorneys as national leaders in their field. In addition, 18 of the firm’s practice areas were ranked among the best in the country, including new recognition for the firm’s Trademark Litigation and White Collar groups.

On May 20, 2018, Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin stated that the US was “putting the trade war on hold,” pending negotiations with China to reduce the US trade deficit and address certain acts, policies, and practices related to intellectual property rights.

Following a tweet from President Donald Trump that there was “big news coming soon” for the automotive industry, the Department of Commerce (DOC) formally announced on May 24, 2018 an investigation into the impact of certain automotive imports on US national security interests.

The Trump Administration did an about-face over the weekend, announcing that the sweeping 25 percent tariffs on products imported from China were placed on hold, as the two countries try to iron out a deal that would avoid the impending trade war.

The May 21 notice provides guidance on the manner in which imports whose exclusion requests are approved by the DOC should be entered in order to avoid the Section 232 duties.

Following the Presidential Proclamations issued April 30, 2018 regarding the imposition of double-digit tariffs on certain steel and aluminum imports (Section 232 tariffs), US Customs and Border Protection published further guidance detailing the implementation of the Section 232 tariffs.

Canadian business leaders greeted the President’s announcement that the exemptions for Canada (and Mexico) from the double-digit “Section 232 tariffs” on certain steel and aluminum imports will be extended an additional month, or May 31, 2018.

On May 8, 2018, President Trump announced that the United States is withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business has recognized 30 Arent Fox LLP attorneys as leaders in their field.

Arent Fox International Trade Practice Group Leader Kay Georgi and Counsel Regan Alberda will speak at the 2018 Conference on the Impact of Export Controls on Higher Education and Scientific Institutions.