Insights on International Trade & Investment

The summer heat has not been confined to the weather. US Customs and Border Protection is warming up the import world with more audits and enforcement actions.

Two China-based clothing manufacturers, Motives Far East and Motives China Limited, and their affiliated US importer, Motives, Incorporated, agreed to pay nearly $13.4 million for engaging in a double invoicing scheme designed to defraud the US out of millions of dollars in customs duties.

Although the United States has had effective economic sanctions on North Korea for many years, the temporary softening of US sanctions in 2000 has given way to ever-increasing sanctions since 2008.

The 2016 edition of Legal 500 US has rated 46 Arent Fox LLP attorneys as national leaders in their field. In addition, 14 of the firm’s practice areas were ranked among the best in the country.

US Customs and Border Protection has been directed by Congress to be much more aggressive in policing antidumping and countervailing duty orders.

Last week, the International Trade Commission issued its report on the Trans-Pacific Partnership’s overall impact on US trade.

New provisions in the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 arm the government with new enforcement tools that rights holders can use to bolster intellectual property right (IPR) protection, especially for semiconductor components.

On Wednesday, the US International Trade Commission (ITC) released its economic assessment of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, predicting small rises in US employment, GDP, and exports as a result of the agreement over the next 15 years.

On April 26, 2016, United States Steel Corporation filed a massive trade case accusing Chinese steel producers and their distributors of conspiring to fix prices, steal trade secrets and use false labeling to avoid trade duties.

The Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 was voted and approved on April 27, 2016 and is now on its way down Pennsylvania Avenue to the President’s desk for signing.

Why does it matter? This seemingly inconsequential distinction may mean the difference between being able to prominently display your embroidered brand trademark on your jeans and being required to place a large “Made in China” marking next to the embroidered brand trademark.

Buried among all the provisions arming the government with new enforcement tools in the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 are a handful of benefits which, if applied correctly and appropriately, could save importers money. 

On April 15, the World Bank released updated public disclosures of its suspension and debarment practices against companies that violate its compliance directives.

The Trade Facilitation and Enforcement Act of 2015 repealed the “consumptive demand” exemption to the ban on imports made by “forced labor.” The repeal became effective on March 10, 2016.

Autonomous driving, hybrids, and electric vehicles are now squarely part of our generation’s lexicon.

There is no “adequate procedures” defense to bribery under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, but it has long been understood that maintaining a robust, risk-based compliance program can lead to reduced charges and penalties.

International trade practice group leader Kay Georgi recently spoke with Reuters to address a new US export restriction against a telecom manufacturer that is expected to have major implications across the global trade market.

On February 24, 2016, President Obama signed the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015, H.R. 644 (Customs Reauthorization Bill), into law.

At long last, after two plus years of debate, last week the Senate finally passed the Trade Facilitation and Enforcement Act of 2015 (2015 Trade Enforcement Act).

Today, February 16, 2016, the US Department of Transportation and Cuban government officials signed a December 2015 agreement to restore commercial air travel. There have been no scheduled flights between the US and Cuba for over 50 years.

This alert brings you recent developments affecting importers at US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The developments affect how importer information is filed with CBP.

International trade events continue to occur at break neck speed. The Toronto International Auto Show takes place later this week, on the heels of the signing of the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) in New Zealand.

Arent Fox LLP is pleased to announce the appointment of D. Jacques Smith and Kay C. Georgi to lead the firm’s internationally recognized Complex Litigation and  International Trade practices.

On January 16, 2016, the US Department of State and US Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took two actions that impact the auto industry.