A Q&A with Adrienne Braumiller, and Olivia Van Pelt.
Question 1: How are you advising businesses in your jurisdiction when protecting themselves from the impact of trade wars and sanctions, and what strategies can...more
6/11/2025
/ Bitcoin ,
Business Entities ,
CAFC ,
China ,
Court of International Trade ,
Cryptocurrency ,
Customs and Border Protection ,
Decentralized Finance (DeFi) ,
Economic Sanctions ,
EFTs ,
Free Trade Agreements ,
Geopolitical Risks ,
International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) ,
International Trade ,
Minerals ,
Rare Earth Metals ,
Risk Assessment ,
Risk Management ,
Section 232 ,
Section 301 ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Tariffs ,
Trade Agreements ,
Trade Wars ,
Trump Administration ,
UK
A quiet but significant power shift has been unfolding across Latin America. While the United States has long been the dominant economic and political influence in the region, its recent inward turn under the “America First”...more
6/9/2025
/ Biden Administration ,
China ,
Foreign Investment ,
International Trade ,
Latin America ,
Mexico ,
NAFTA ,
Political Campaigns ,
Popular ,
Tariffs ,
Trade Relations ,
Trans-Pacific Partnership ,
Trump Administration ,
United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) ,
US Trade Policies
Several fundamental conditions are widely presumed necessary for a country to enjoy the benefits of global trade. One condition is that import activity ought not exceed export activity.1 Put more simply, we must sell more...more
4/11/2025
/ Bitcoin ,
Canada ,
China ,
Executive Orders ,
Exports ,
Importers ,
Imports ,
International Trade ,
Mexico ,
Regulatory Reform ,
Semiconductors ,
Supply Chain ,
Tariff Act of 1930 ,
Tariffs ,
Trade Deficit ,
Trade Representatives ,
Trump Administration ,
United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) ,
US Trade Policies
Donald Trump’s first term in office pursued an aggressive foreign policy toward China, imposing tariffs, restricting technology transfers, and accusing Beijing of unfair trade practices. However, one unintended consequence of...more
Liberation Day passed with the promised reciprocal tariffs touted by the Trump administration. The president, surrounded by workers in the Rose Garden on April 2, executed a number of tariffs promising to Make America Wealthy...more
4/9/2025
/ Automotive Industry ,
China ,
Economic Sanctions ,
International Trade ,
Pharmaceutical Industry ,
Popular ,
Retaliatory Tariffs ,
Supply Chain ,
Tariffs ,
Trade Wars ,
Trump Administration
The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) joint review process is scheduled to begin on July 1, 2026, but the time to prepare is now. Embedded trade compliance professionals should already be doing scenario...more
2/12/2025
/ Brokers ,
China ,
Compliance ,
Customs ,
Export Controls ,
IMMEX ,
Imports ,
International Trade ,
Latin America ,
Regulatory Agenda ,
Regulatory Reform ,
Regulatory Requirements ,
Risk Assessment ,
Risk Management ,
Section 301 ,
Supply Chain ,
Tariffs ,
Trade Agreements ,
Trade Policy ,
Trade Relations ,
Trump Administration ,
United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) ,
US Trade Policies ,
USTR
President Donald Trump made headlines when he announced an External Revenue Service (ERS) agency to collect tariff incomes. The announcement sparked a heated debate among trade experts, economists, and business leaders. But,...more
2/12/2025
/ America First Trade Policy ,
Customs and Border Protection ,
Executive Orders ,
Government Efficiency ,
International Trade ,
Regulatory Reform ,
Supply Chain ,
Tariffs ,
Tax Reform ,
Taxation ,
Trade Relations ,
Trump Administration
China has significantly expanded its economic and geopolitical footprint in Latin America, particularly through the acquisition and development of critical infrastructure such as ports, airfields, and railways. This strategic...more
2/11/2025
/ China ,
Competition ,
Economic Growth ,
Energy Sector ,
Foreign Investment ,
Geopolitical Risks ,
Infrastructure ,
International Trade ,
Investment ,
Latin America ,
Logistics ,
Maritime Transport ,
National Security ,
Supply Chain ,
Telecommunications ,
Trade Relations
In today’s complex global marketplace, businesses are increasingly confronted with the challenges of supply chain disruptions, rising costs, and fierce competition—all exacerbated by trade remedy tariffs. While many of these...more
12/13/2024
/ America First Trade Policy ,
Anti-Dumping Duty ,
Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) ,
Canada ,
Counterfeiting ,
Customs ,
Customs and Border Protection ,
Donald Trump ,
Duties ,
EU ,
Executive Authority ,
Fraud ,
Free Trade Agreements ,
Illegal Drugs ,
Immigrants ,
International Trade ,
ITAR ,
MERCOSUR ,
Mexico ,
Supply Chain ,
Tariff Act of 1930 ,
Tariff Classifications ,
Tariffs ,
Trump Administration ,
United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) ,
WTO
Trade agreements under Donald Trump’s second administration have taken center stage once again, marked by his characteristic blend of bold rhetoric and high-stakes brinkmanship. In keeping with his “America First” agenda,...more
12/13/2024
/ America First Trade Policy ,
China ,
Donald Trump ,
International Trade ,
Mexico ,
Most-Favored Nations ,
Tariffs ,
Trade Agreements ,
Trans-Pacific Partnership ,
Trump Administration ,
United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) ,
US Trade Policies
Part one of this series focused on former US Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer’s approach to trade and how it would flavor the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) joint review process in 2026 if Donald...more
10/9/2024
/ Anti-Dumping Duty ,
Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) ,
Carbon Emissions ,
China ,
Countervailing Duties ,
Customs and Border Protection ,
Environmental Policies ,
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ,
Export Controls ,
Forced Labor ,
International Trade ,
International Trade Commission (ITC) ,
Judges ,
Judicial Reform ,
Labor Disputes ,
Longshoremen ,
Mexico ,
Ports ,
Strike ,
Supply Chain ,
U.S. Commerce Department ,
United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) ,
Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA)
Historically, trade agreements have focused on reducing barriers to trade—such as tariffs and quotas—while encouraging economic integration and growth. Environmental protection was often considered a separate issue, addressed...more
This is the first of a three-part series about the USMCA joint review process, focusing on China, Mexico, and competing visions of a “worker-centered” trade policy. Part one introduces the USMCA joint review process and...more
8/13/2024
/ Administrative Agencies ,
Administrative Review ,
BRIC ,
Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) ,
CEOs ,
CFOs ,
Chevron Deference ,
China ,
Commercial Contracts ,
Court of International Trade ,
Customs and Border Protection ,
Economic Growth ,
Export Controls ,
Foreign Direct Investment ,
International Trade ,
International Trade Commission (ITC) ,
Judicial Interpretation ,
Oil & Gas ,
Presidential Proclamations ,
SCOTUS ,
Section 232 ,
Section 301 ,
Sunset Provisions ,
Supply Chain ,
Texas ,
U.S. Commerce Department ,
United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)
Texas isn’t just celebrated for its breathtaking landscapes and rich history—it’s a dynamic powerhouse in international and interstate trade. As the second-largest state in the U.S., Texas capitalizes on its strategic...more
Imagine a world where five powerhouse nations are redefining the global economic landscape. BRICS—an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—is not just a coalition of emerging markets; it is a formidable...more
8/13/2024
/ Brazil ,
BRIC ,
China ,
Economic Development ,
Emerging Markets ,
Foreign Direct Investment ,
Foreign Investment ,
Global Market ,
India ,
Russia ,
SAFE ,
South Africa ,
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
Recently, President Biden signed a foreign military support bill (H.R. 815) into law, which also encompassed the 21st Century Peace Through Strength Act (the Act), a legislative proposal introduced in the House containing...more
6/11/2024
/ Australia ,
CFTC ,
China ,
Department of Justice (DOJ) ,
Developing Countries ,
Digital Assets ,
Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) ,
Economic Growth ,
Economic Sanctions ,
EFTs ,
Enforcement Actions ,
Exclusions ,
Export Administration Regulations (EAR) ,
Foreign Direct Investment ,
Foreign Investment ,
IMMEX ,
India ,
Intergovernmental Agreements ,
International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) ,
ITAR ,
Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) ,
Oil & Gas ,
Russia ,
Sanction Violations ,
Section 301 ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
Statute of Limitations ,
Technology Transfer Agreements ,
TWEA ,
U.S. Commerce Department ,
UK ,
United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) ,
USITC ,
USTR
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is a driving force behind global economic growth and development, acting as a lifeline of funding for nations around the world. Imagine a company from one corner of the globe setting up shop or...more
6/11/2024
/ Business Development ,
China ,
Economic Development ,
Emerging Markets ,
Foreign Direct Investment ,
Foreign Investment ,
Geopolitical Risks ,
Global Market ,
India ,
Infrastructure ,
Innovative Technology ,
Intellectual Property Protection ,
Popular ,
Supply Chain
In February 2024, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) began taking a new approach to Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) enforcement—questionnaires. Once again, the solar industry is among the first targets, vanguards...more
4/5/2024
/ Anti-Dumping Duty ,
Artificial Intelligence ,
Countervailing Duties ,
Customs and Border Protection ,
Cybersecurity ,
De Minimis Claims ,
EU ,
Export Controls ,
Food Safety ,
Forced Labor ,
Foreign Policy ,
Freight Forwarding ,
Global Disputes ,
IMMEX ,
Imports ,
International Trade ,
Mexico ,
Section 321 ,
Supply Chain ,
Tariff Act of 1930 ,
Tariffs ,
U.S. Commerce Department ,
Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) ,
Withhold Release Orders (WROs)
The intricate interplay between trade and food security has emerged as a vital global issue, one that is closely interwoven with the tapestry of international conflicts and political instability. Remember the 2019 pandemic...more
Last June (2023), in response to a ruling request from Your Special Delivery Services Specialty Logistics (YSDS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued HQ H324098, clarifying what it means to be an “owner or purchaser”...more
2/8/2024
/ Bitcoin ,
Blockchain ,
Brokers ,
Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) ,
China ,
Cryptocurrency ,
Customs ,
Customs and Border Protection ,
Decentralized Finance (DeFi) ,
Distribution Rules ,
Duties ,
EFTs ,
Export Administration Regulations (EAR) ,
Export Controls ,
First Sale Doctrine ,
Foreign Policy ,
Foreign Trade Zones ,
Free Trade Zone ,
Importers ,
Imports ,
Infringement ,
International Trade ,
Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) ,
Mexico ,
Military Conflict ,
Minister of Foreign Affairs ,
NVOCCs ,
Parallel Imports ,
Patents ,
Supply Chain ,
Taiwan ,
Tariffs ,
Tokenization ,
Trade Agreements ,
Trade Relations ,
Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) ,
Utility Tokens ,
Voluntary Disclosure
President elect Lai Ching-te’s victory in Taipei ignited tensions across the Taiwan strait and now the geopolitical field waits to see if China will kick off World War Three. I’m only slightly joking, but Beijing has exerted...more
2/7/2024
/ China ,
Foreign Policy ,
Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) ,
Military Conflict ,
Minister of Foreign Affairs ,
Popular ,
Supply Chain ,
Taiwan ,
Tariffs ,
Trade Agreements ,
Trade Relations
Tensions are escalating in the South China Sea, a vital maritime route for international trade. Taiwan remains at the center of this conflict and in an increasingly interconnected world, the prospect of a Taiwan invasion has...more
China and Taiwan have been locked in a tussle for decades over who gets to call the island country home. China considers Taiwan a breakaway province, while Taiwan sees itself as a sovereign nation....more