International Trade Compliance News Articles

News Articles

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.

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.

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.

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.

The U.S. Effort to Keep AI Out of China’s Hands

Olivia Van Pelt August 2, 2025

It comes as no surprise China has been a major focus point of the second Trump administration. One of the key reasons for this focus is the increasing national security concerns over technology. In particular, the smuggling of AI chips, which China intends to use in developing advanced AI systems for military purposes and surveillance.

Trade Wars & Sanctions – The New Trade Order

Adrienne Braumiller June 9, 2025

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 professional services firms offer to mitigate these risks?

Rare Earth Minerals, and China’s Global Dominance

Bob Brewer June 9, 2025

If I heard it once, I’ve heard it a thousand times, China is the sourcing capital of the world. I’ve also repeated this statement at least 400+ times in many conversations over the years regarding global trade. China, it’s also where the global market goes for rare earth minerals, among thousands of other necessary elements for a veritable plethora of life’s essential things.

Tariffs and the Future of U.S. Beef

Brandon French June 9, 2025

On April 2, 2025, President Trump announced reciprocal tariffs, setting a baseline rate of 10% on imports from all countries, with higher rates on dozens of countries which the United States (U.S.) runs trade deficits. Specifically, Trump imposed a 34% tariff on all Chinese imports in response to China’s 67% tariff and non-tariff barriers on U.S. exports, aiming to address what he sees as an unfair trade imbalance.

U.S.-China Trade Relations: An Update on Tariffs

Brandon French June 9, 2025

Since Trump’s first term, tensions between the United States and China, the world’s two largest economies, have been on the rise. President Trump ran for his second presidential term on a promise to reduce reliance on China – and promise kept. In one of his first Presidential actions, President Trump issued an “America First Trade Policy” memorandum dedicating an entire section to trade relations with China. Since then, several tariffs have been imposed on Chinese goods and the duty-free de minimis treatment for goods valued at $800 or less ended.

Section 232 Investigation of Commercial Aircraft, Jet Engines and Parts

Bruce Leeds June 9, 2025

In a recent Federal Register notice the Bureau of Industry & Security (BIS) of the Department of Commerce announced that “On May 1, 2025, the Secretary of Commerce initiated an investigation to determine the effects on the national security of imports of commercial aircraft and jet engines, and parts for commercial aircraft and jet engines. This investigation has been initiated under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended (Section 232).” The investigation may take up to 270 days but it can be concluded sooner.

IEEPA Tariff Refunds and the U.S. Government’s Appeal: Where the Litigation Stands, and What it Means for Importers

Brandon French June 23, 2026

After the U.S. Supreme Court struck down President Trump’s IEEPA tariffs as unconstitutional in February 2026, the Court tasked the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) with developing refund procedures for importers who paid IEEPA tariffs.

USTR Report Proposes Section 301 Tariffs of 10%, 12.5% on Major Trading Partners

Brandon French June 23, 2026

On June 2, 2026, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) released its report on Section 301 investigations into the practices of sixty trade partners’ economies with regard to forced labor prohibitions.

New Executive Order Strengthening CBP Enforcement

Vicky Wu June 9, 2026

President Trump signed the new Executive Order “Strengthening Customs Enforcement.” This new order from the administration tackles different administrative priorities related to customs: Customs Reform and Combatting Customs Fraud. The order-related fact sheet goes into detail about how the Executive Order addresses these objectives and how this will affect importers moving forward.

Customs Fraud, Whistleblowers, and $1.8 Billion in Liability: Lessons for Importers

Adrienne Braumiller June 9, 2026

The outcome of this customs fraud criminal investigation case highlights significant compliance risks for importers, particularly in the areas of classification, documentation, and internal controls.

Joint US-EU Action Plan & MOU for Critical Mineral Supply Chain

James Holbein June 9, 2026

Global reliance on critical minerals for emerging technologies has created a competition between nations to secure reliable supply chains for continued innovation pertinent to national security. This is necessary from a national security perspective for both partners in this agreement.

Agencies Request Comments on GENIUS Act Implementation

James Holbein June 9, 2026

The GENIUS Act has authorized several regulatory agencies to issue regulations to develop the first comprehensive federal regulatory framework governing payment stablecoins in the United States. The statute directs multiple federal financial regulators to implement a coordinated supervisory structure governing issuance, reserve management, redemption rights, anti-money laundering compliance, custody, and market structure.

The Taiwan Question – What are investors thinking after Trump’s Beijing summit?

Victoria Holmes June 9, 2026

United States President Donald Trump met with President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China at a summit in Beijing in mid-May. The two leaders spoke for about two hours behind closed doors, discussing the trade relationship between the world’s two largest economies, the emergence of artificial intelligence, and energy cooperation. But it was a pointed comment from Xi about Taiwan that hinted at an unresolved issue that may make or break global relations.

What a “Mess”: IEEPA Refunds and the Emerging Wave of Consumer Litigation

Eiyack-Cacho Ayala June 9, 2026

When the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated certain tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump, it did more than reshape trade policy. The decision triggered a complex series of questions regarding tariff refunds, consumer rights, and corporate liability – questions whose effects continue to be felt far beyond the trade community, reaching businesses and households across the US.

Walmart’s Diversification of Sourcing From China – A Relationship Decades in the Making, So Breaking Up is Really Hard to Do

Bob Brewer May 22, 2026

Walmart has been in China for about 30 years, entering the market in 1996 when it opened its first Walmart hypermarket and Sam’s Club in Shenzhen. There are now 342 retail stores, 279 Walmart Supercenters, and 63 Sam’s Clubs in China.

Mexico Extends Deadline for Electronic Value Manifest (EVM)

Brenda Cordova April 2, 2026

Mexico’s tax authority (Servicio de Administración Tributaria – SAT) has postponed the mandatory implementation of the Electronic Value Manifest (Manifestación de Valor Electrónica – EVM). The requirement is now expected to become mandatory on June 1, 2026.

Contracts and Purchase Orders in Mexico – Their Role in Demonstrating Customs Compliance and the Substance of Foreign Trade Transactions

June 23, 2026

News Articles

GENIUS Act Establishes Legal Framework for Payment Stablecoins

Trade Letters and Tariff Deals – What Is Going On?

Mexico’s Evolving Trade Scenario Amidst Global Tariff Tensions

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

The U.S. Effort to Keep AI Out of China’s Hands

Trade Wars & Sanctions – The New Trade Order

Rare Earth Minerals, and China’s Global Dominance

Tariffs and the Future of U.S. Beef

U.S.-China Trade Relations: An Update on Tariffs

Section 232 Investigation of Commercial Aircraft, Jet Engines and Parts

IEEPA Tariff Refunds and the U.S. Government’s Appeal: Where the Litigation Stands, and What it Means for Importers

USTR Report Proposes Section 301 Tariffs of 10%, 12.5% on Major Trading Partners

New Executive Order Strengthening CBP Enforcement

Customs Fraud, Whistleblowers, and $1.8 Billion in Liability: Lessons for Importers

Joint US-EU Action Plan & MOU for Critical Mineral Supply Chain

Agencies Request Comments on GENIUS Act Implementation

The Taiwan Question – What are investors thinking after Trump’s Beijing summit?

What a “Mess”: IEEPA Refunds and the Emerging Wave of Consumer Litigation

Walmart’s Diversification of Sourcing From China – A Relationship Decades in the Making, So Breaking Up is Really Hard to Do

Mexico Extends Deadline for Electronic Value Manifest (EVM)

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