News Articles

tariffs

Preserving Refund Rights for IEEPA-Based Tariffs

Adrienne Braumiller September 28, 2025

Importers who have paid tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) should take immediate steps to preserve their eligibility for potential refunds. Multiple lawsuits are currently challenging the legality of these tariffs, and the Supreme Court is set to decide the issue in November. If the Court ultimately invalidates the tariffs, importers may be entitled to recover duties paid. However, securing refunds depends on preserving jurisdictional options—especially given the uncertainty about whether these tariffs constitute a protestable decision under customs law. There are three potential refund mechanisms at play.

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ieepa tariffs

Unconstitutionality of IEEPA Tariffs Upheld – Supreme Court to Review

James Holbein September 28, 2025

On May 28, 2025, a three-judge panel at the Court of International Trade (CIT) ruled in two cases (VOS Selections, Inc. v. Trump and the State of Oregon v. Trump) that the Presidential actions taken under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) (50 U.S.C. §§ 1701–1707) to impose tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China for illegal immigration and fentanyl smuggling are unconstitutional. The CIT said that the tariff actions did not directly address the declared emergency and were not delegated by Congress to the Executive Branch and therefore exceed the President’s tariff setting authority under the Constitution.

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de minimis

The End of De Minimis Section 321 Clearances

Bruce Leeds September 19, 2025

Prior to August 29 of this year, 19 USC 321 – popularly known as a Section or de minimis clearance – allowed imported shipments valued at less than $800 to enter the US free of duty and entry requirements. The idea behind this was (1) the cost of processing an entry and duty payment would be more than the duty collected, and (2) setting the threshold at this level would promote eCommerce. It would also allow US Customs & Border Protection (CBP) to use its resources more effectively.

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Chinese innovation

Sanctions, Bans, and Tariffs How The U.S. is Fueling Chinese Innovation

Bob Brewer September 8, 2025

Just look at the current landscape of how China has been innovating through various trade related sanctions, bans, and tariffs. Necessity has always been the mother of invention, and in the case of China and the never-ending western pressure it has also been the catalyst in many cases for that which ultimately drives them to create and overcome.

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japan

Japan and U.S. Trade Agreement

Jennifer Horvath August 3, 2025

After challenging negotiations and rising tariff tensions, the U.S. and Japan have reached a trade deal. This agreement precedes the August 1st tariff deadline, preventing a scheduled 25% tariff increase on Japanese products. The deal includes substantial Japanese investments in the U.S.

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protectionism

As the U.S. Pushes For More Protectionism, Global Trade Turns to Another Obvious Option- China

Bob Brewer August 2, 2025

Here we are. August 1st, 2025, and the media is now publishing what facts they have on the various trade deals as well as those that have yet to come to fruition, in addition to the new announcement of imposed global tariffs which range anywhere from 10% to 41%, Yes, the trade world is on fire from a U.S. perspective. CNN, my “go-to” is reporting that the Trump Administration is imposing tariffs on over 60 countries around the globe.

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stablecoin

GENIUS Act Establishes Legal Framework for Payment Stablecoins

James Holbein August 2, 2025

The President signed into law the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins of 2025’or ‘‘GENIUS Act of 2025’” (the Act) on July 18, 2025. The new law establishes a basis for regulators to permit a variety of bank and non-bank entities to issue payment stablecoins that will be used for payments and reserves for a variety of purposes. This analysis covers the major provisions of the new law.

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tariffs

Trade Letters and Tariff Deals – What Is Going On?

James Holbein August 2, 2025

Since taking office on January 20, 2025, the Trump Administration has undertaken an aggressive trade policy that has impacted, and will continue to impact, all countries trading with the US. Many of the actions seek to reverse the established principles of trade policy that have been supported by both political parties, enshrined in the rules of international agreements and organizations, and regulated by executive branch agencies since the end of World War II.

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tariffs

Mexico’s Evolving Trade Scenario Amidst Global Tariff Tensions

Brenda Cordova August 2, 2025

From a Mexican resident’s perspective, who is also involved in international trade, it appears that since the Trump administration took office, the global economic scenario has been altered by an escalating trade war, characterized by the imposition of tariffs by the U.S. government, on a range of countries. These measures, intended to safeguard the U.S. interests, have affected the relationships with certain international markets, as the U.S. is showing signs of progressive isolationist practices.

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tax service

Behind the Numbers: My Transformative Internship Journey at SAT (Tax Administration Service)

Brenda Cordova August 2, 2025

My internship in Mexico was with the Servicio de Administración Tributaria (SAT), the office responsible for applying tax and customs legislation, which facilitates trade through customs administration. With its influence extending across both the public and private sectors, SAT stands at the forefront of Mexico’s efforts to promote transparency, efficiency, and fiscal responsibility. My internship experience within this institution offered invaluable insights into its operations and the impact it has on the nation’s economic landscape.

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Stablecoin

Activating HTTP 402: The x402 Protocol and Legal Framework for Internet-Native Stablecoin Payments

James Holbein November 30, 2025

The convergence of payment stablecoins, blockchain settlement infrastructure, and the regulatory clarity provided by the GENIUS Act of 2025 has created conditions for HTTP 402’s activation. The x402 protocol, developed by Coinbase in collaboration with Cloudflare and others through the x402 Foundation, operationalizes this long-reserved status code to enable instant, automated payments: particularly for autonomous AI agents conducting machine-to-machine commerce.

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critical Minerals

Critical Minerals Focus of White House Trade Agreements in 2025

James Holbein November 30, 2025

The Trump Administration is pursuing a new style of trade management based on use of tariffs to rectify trade deficits and to set new “reciprocal” tariff rates to level the playing field for all of its trading partners. Critical minerals are a key component of the strategy, because the U.S. is heavily dependent of foreign sources for most of the critical minerals used in modern manufacturing. In response to Trump-imposed tariffs and threats of other trade actions, China has repeatedly used export controls on rare earths and other critical minerals as leverage. This article looks at the current state of critical minerals trade actions, starting with new US agreements with multiple trading partners, then reviewing international norms and proceeding through other trade actions involving critical minerals.

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BIS

BIS “Affiliates Rule” Suspended One Year, But No Time to Rest

Megan Mohler November 30, 2025

On November 10, 2025, the U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) delayed the effective date of its new Affiliates Rule for a one-year period, until November 9, 2026, after U.S. and China trade talks. The Affiliates Rule, announced on September 29, 2025, expands export controls under the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”) to extend to non-listed “affiliates” owned or controlled by listed entities (on the Entity List, the Military End User List “MEU”, or certain sanctioned parties) 50% or more in the aggregate.

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section 232

Section 232 Steel & Aluminum Derivative Products Inclusion Process Expands Scope of the National Security Purpose of Section 232 Investigations

Paul Fudacz November 30, 2025

On February 10, 2025, the President issued Presidential Proclamations Under Section 232 of the U.S. Code adjusting imports of steel and aluminum into the United States. These Proclamations provided an expanded listing of steel and aluminum derivative articles but also instructed the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) to establish a process for including additional derivative aluminum and steel articles within the scope of the ad valorem duties.

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auto industry and china

The Automotive Industry, China’s Semi Grip on Supply Chains, and General Motors 2027 Exit Strategy for Suppliers (Is a clean break even possible?)

Bob Brewer November 20, 2025

General Motors (GM) has instructed thousands of its suppliers to phase out sourcing parts and materials from China by 2027. The exit strategy began in early 2024, with the directive gaining momentum in spring of this year, 2025. This directive is part of GM’s broader strategy to enhance supply chain resiliency and reduce exposure to geopolitical risks, particularly amid escalating, or let’s just say, continuously fluctuating, U.S.–China trade tensions.

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brics

Can BRICS Break the Dollar’s Grip?

Victoria Holmes October 1, 2025

For decades, the U.S. dollar has ruled the world. Whether a Brazilian farmer sells soybeans to China or an Indian company buys oil from the Middle East, chances are the transaction runs through greenbacks. Nearly 80 percent of global trade is still denominated in dollars—even when neither the buyer nor the seller is American.

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Mexican steel

Importing Steel into Mexico A Pillar of Compliance for Suppliers Trading with Mexico

Brenda Cordova October 1, 2025

The steel trade with Mexico is particularly strategic at this moment. Companies are shifting supply chains to North America, and Mexico which has been an attractive manufacturing hub for various industries, such as automotive, aerospace, construction, electronics, household appliances, and more. This trend is driving strong demand for imported steel while simultaneously creating new export opportunities for Mexican producers. Much of this advantage stems from the USMCA, because steel originating within the USCMA region can qualify for preferential tariff treatment when traded within the United States and Canada, provided that the applicable rules of origin are fully met.

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Rare Earth

Rare Earth Minerals-Part 2 – Enter Greenland’s Global Significance

Bob Brewer October 1, 2025

It’s been more than a little concerning to the Trump Administration as these deposits have everything to do with international security as they are needed in the production of the very high-end microchips. So, now that it has been discovered that Greenland apparently has one of the largest deposits on the planet, Trump has stated that we will have Greenland, one way or another. While he hasn’t explicitly committed to military action, he’s made it clear that he won’t rule it out.

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Stablecoin

Wyoming Laws More Crypto-Friendly with Issuance of State Stablecoin

James Holbein October 1, 2025

On August 29, 2025, Wyoming made history becoming the first state in the United States to issue its own stablecoin, the Frontier (FRNT) token, marking a groundbreaking moment in state-level cryptocurrency adoption. Wyoming’s pioneering move represents more than just technological innovation. It signals a fundamental shift in how states can leverage blockchain technology with robust legal frameworks to modernize their financial infrastructure and maintain competitive advantages in the evolving digital economy.

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