Trade News

USTR: Administration Outlines Next Phase of Tariff Enforcement and Trade Investigations

February 27, 2026

The administration has detailed a broad strategy to advance its trade objectives while reinforcing existing enforcement tools. Officials confirmed that a temporary 10 percent surcharge will be applied to certain imports under Section 122 authority as a means of stabilizing…

USTR: Administration Announces Import Surcharge to Address Balance of Payments Deficit

February 27, 2026

Federal law, including section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, authorizes the President to impose temporary import surcharges and other restrictions when the nation faces serious international payments challenges. Acting under this authority, the Administration has determined that an…

OFAC: U.S. Expands Sanctions Relief With New Licenses for Venezuela Oil and Gas Investment

February 24, 2026

The Office of Foreign Assets Control last week issued General License 49 authorizing parties to negotiate and enter into contingent contracts for new investment in Venezuela’s oil and gas sector, provided that performance of those agreements remains subject to separate…

OFAC: Launches Online Portal for Voluntary Self Disclosure Submissions

February 24, 2026

The Office of Foreign Assets Control has introduced a new online Voluntary Self Disclosure Portal designed to streamline the submission of potential violations under sanctions programs it administers. The secure platform replaces prior submission methods with a centralized digital system…

CPSC: Agency Releases Preliminary HTSUS List Ahead of Mandatory eFiling Compliance Program

February 13, 2026

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has published on its website a preliminary list of approximately 600 HTSUS classifications that are likely to cover products requiring electronic submission of certificate of compliance data beginning July 8. The agency emphasized that…

USTR: United States Adjusts Tariff Treatment for Indian Imports Under New Reciprocal Framework

February 13, 2026

Effective February 7, 2026, the United States will remove the additional 25 percent ad valorem duty on products of India entering the U.S. market. In place of that measure, Indian imports will be subject to a revised reciprocal “Liberation Day”…

USCIT: Court Rejects Retroactive Section 301 Exclusion Claims

February 6, 2026

In a notable trade case, the Court of International Trade addressed an Importer of Record attempt to retroactively claim section 301 exclusions for cryptocurrency mining equipment that appeared to consist of specialized CMP boards designed for mining use. The dispute…

USTR: United States and Guatemala Finalize Trade Deal With Tariff Reforms

February 6, 2026

A new trade agreement between the United States and Guatemala was reached, focusing on reducing trade barriers and expanding mutual investment opportunities. In addition to strengthening commercial ties, the agreement includes a major change to reciprocal tariffs. The United States…

BIS: Trade and Sanctions Operations Face Uneven Impact Under Potential Government Shutdown

February 3, 2026

If a partial government shutdown begins January 31, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is expected to continue normal operations because funding for the Department of Commerce has already been approved by Congress. In contrast, agencies within the Department…

CBP: Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Bars Importation of Xinjiang-Linked Goods

February 3, 2026

Canada’s Department of Finance has announced the imposition of a 25 percent tariff on a defined list of steel derivative products, effective December 26, 2025. The measure applies to imports from all countries and is assessed on the full value…

FIN: Canada Imposes 25% Tariffs on Steel Derivative Products

January 2, 2026

Canada’s Department of Finance has announced the imposition of a 25 percent tariff on a defined list of steel derivative products, effective December 26, 2025. The measure applies to imports from all countries and is assessed on the full value…

DOJ: New Data Security Program Enforcement Reshapes U.S. Data Handling Obligations

January 2, 2026

The Department of Justice’s Data Security Program (DSP) is now fully in force, significantly expanding U.S. government oversight of how sensitive personal and government-related data is collected, shared, and accessed-particularly where foreign entities are involved. Effective October 6, 2025, the…