Tariffs & Trade Policy

On December 31, 2025, President Trump signed proclamation, Amendments to Adjusting Imports of Timber, Lumber, And Their Derivative Products into the United States, delaying higher tariffs on upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets, and vanities until January 1, 2027. The proclamation cited “productive negotiations with trade partners to address trade reciprocity and national security concerns regarding

The U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT or court), on December 23, 2025, issued Administrative Order 25-02 staying all recently filed cases challenging tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) by the Trump Administration. 

In particular, the order signed by Chief Judge Mark A. Barnett, directs that all currently unassigned cases and

On December 23, 2025, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) determined that China’s policies and practices aimed at dominating the semiconductor industry are unfair and burdensome on U.S. commerce, making them actionable under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. After a year-long investigation, the USTR found that China’s state-driven industrial planning, forced technology

On December 16, 2025 the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) announced that it will provide an opportunity for interested parties to submit requests to add additional products to the list of auto parts that are subject to Section 232 duties under the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. The inclusions window will open on January

Tariff Evasion Enforcement Continues To Be A Top Priority for DOJ and CBP

Recent developments highlight a coordinated, aggressive approach by the U.S. Government to crack down on schemes that undermine U.S. trade laws.

An Indonesian jewelry company, UBS Gold, its co-owner, and two employees were charged with conspiring to evade over $86 million in U.S. customs duties on jewelry imports. Two individuals were arrested and face up to 20 years in prison for wire fraud conspiracy, while UBS Gold faces fines up to $500,000 or twice the gain.

On November 20, 2025, the White House issued an Executive Order marking a significant shift in U.S. trade policy toward Brazil. This action updates the measures originally imposed under Executive Order 14323 from July 30, 2025, which had established a 40% additional ad valorem duty on certain Brazilian goods under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) due to concerns over Brazil’s policies and practices impacting U.S. national security and foreign policy.

The U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a final rule which will suspend BIS’s recently enacted Affiliates Rule effective as of November 10, 2025 and continuing through November 9, 2026.  The Trump Administration committed to make this change as part of its Deal on Economic and Trade Relations with China

Following the U.S. and China trade meetings last week, President Trump issued an Executive Order reducing the rate of fentanyl-related tariffs on China from 20% to 10%, effective November 10, 2025. These tariffs were originally imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”) on February 1 and March 3, 2025 to address China’s failure to alleviate the influx of synthetic opioids into the U.S.