What are the implications? What practical steps should US government contractors take? Our multidisciplinary team provides an overview of President Trump’s Executive Order 13950, Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping, its labor law implications, potential for litigation, and practical guidance for federal contractors. Continue reading here.… Continue Reading
On February 10, 2020, US President Donald Trump unveiled his Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Budget Request, detailing the administration’s policy and programming priorities for the coming year. The President’s proposal continues themes raised in past years, including prioritizing foreign assistance for US allies, such as those in the Indo-Pacific and African regions, and prioritizing strong … Continue Reading
The Trump Administration issued an Executive Order (EO) on October 14, 2019, that authorized US Department of the Treasury (Treasury) and US Department of State to impose sanctions on various Turkish individuals and entities involved in the conflict in Northern Syria. The same day that the EO was issued, Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated three individuals and two entities as … Continue Reading
On October 15, 2019 in Mumbai, India, a team of our colleagues, including former US Representative Joseph Crowley (D-New York), former US Ambassador Frank G. Wisner, former UK Ambassador Matthew Kirk and Frank Samolis, will discuss the current global trade scenario and India’s trade relations with the US at an Asia Society India event.… Continue Reading
On 20 December 2017, President Trump issued EO 13818, authorising the imposition of financial sanctions against designated persons determined to be directly or indirectly engaged in certain human rights abuses or corrupt acts around the world. OFAC subsequently released new Frequently Asked Questions and published updated designations.… Continue Reading
In a statement issued 12 January 2018, President Trump announced that his administration was extending the waivers of certain secondary sanctions against Iran originally adopted on implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action agreement (JCPOA) on Iran’s nuclear program. Trump stated that the move not to reinstate sanctions against Iran is to allow for … Continue Reading
OFAC and US Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) have each issued new regulations implementing President Trump’s June 2017 National Security Presidential Memorandum on Cuba (the “Cuba NSPM”). On 9 November, OFAC published amendments to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (31 C.F.R. Part 515) in the Federal Register. The amendments implement the … Continue Reading
On 13 October, President Trump announced the results of his administration’s review of the US’ Iran policy, indicating at the same time that he would not “certify” to Iran’s compliance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreement. Since President Trump took office, he has “certified” to Iran’s compliance twice, so this is the first time that he did … Continue Reading
On 20 September, President Trump issued an Executive Order (EO) authorising broad new economic sanctions against North Korea, by targeting those dealing with the country. The Order, EO 13810, adds to the existing US embargo of North Korea by authorising the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to impose blocking sanctions against any person found to be participating … Continue Reading
On 6 October, the Trump administration announced that it would permanently revoke economic sanctions against Sudan, effective 12 October 2017. The State Department published this decision in the Federal Register, 82 Fed. Reg. 47287, on 11 October 2017. This decision means that US companies can invest in Sudan and export their products and services to Sudan, subject to compliance with … Continue Reading
Sudan Sanctions In 1997, the US imposed a comprehensive trade and investment embargo against Sudan. In January 2017, i.e., in the closing days of the Obama Administration, President Obama announced a six-month suspension of US economic sanctions, citing ongoing dialogue with the Sudanese government and the government’s progress in achieving milestones agreed upon in those negotiations. Specifically, the Obama Administration … Continue Reading
President Trump has signed into law the countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, expanding US sanctions targeting Iran, Russia, North Korea and Syria.… Continue Reading
On May 18, 2017, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer formally notified the US Congress of President Donald Trump’s intent to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). In letters transmitted to senior Congressional leaders, Ambassador Lighthizer pledged that the administration will consult closely with Congress to ensure its negotiating positions are consistent with the … Continue Reading
Following through on his promise to put “America first,” President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order (EO) on April 18 titled “Buy American and Hire American,” a two-part document addressing both US federal procurement and immigration programs. Our international trade and public policy teams together analyzed the provisions contained in the EO and offer explanations … Continue Reading
The media has reported on various potential plans and ideas being discussed by lawmakers to further expand or improve the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States’s (CFIUS) scope and authorities. To date, no legislation has been introduced in Congress, and only few details about what has been proposed is publicly known. Based on … Continue Reading
In response to recent ballistic missile testing activities by the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Trump administration, on 3 February 2017, issued its first economic sanctions, adding 13 individuals and 12 entities to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) list of specially designated nationals and blocked persons. The designations were made under counter-proliferation and … Continue Reading
On February 28, 2017, his 40th day in office, President Donald J. Trump made his first appearance before a joint session of Congress. In his speech, he set forth his vision for what he expects to accomplish in the next 40 days and beyond.… Continue Reading
President Donald Trump hosted the Canadian and Israeli Prime Ministers at the White House last week. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly traveled to Mexico City this week to discuss trade and security matters. Cabinet Shuffle. Gen. Michael Flynn resigned as the National Security Advisor (NSA) last week, after … Continue Reading
On Monday, 13 February, President Donald Trump welcomed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to the White House. President Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Wednesday. The U.S. Senate confirmed Steven Mnuchin to serve as Secretary of the Treasury on Monday evening. Congress is scheduled to be in recess next … Continue Reading
Since taking office on January 20, 2017, President Trump’s actions on several trade-related matters – from officially withdrawing the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), to signaling the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), to suggesting reconsideration of existing bilateral trade agreements – will have a ripple effect seen and felt around the … Continue Reading
In his first week in office, President Donald Trump signed a series of documents under his executive authorities on topics ranging from trade to national security to immigration, including on “extreme vetting” of persons from select Arab countries and establishing an indefinite ban on refugees from Syria. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) also … Continue Reading
On Friday, 20 January, businessman Donald J. Trump was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States of America. At the inauguration ceremony, President Trump stated: From this moment on, it’s going to be America First. Every decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs, will be made to benefit American … Continue Reading
Following through on one of his campaign promises, on Monday, January 23, President Donald Trump signed a memorandum formally withdrawing the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement. It is anticipated that President Trump may issue a separate document regarding the United States’ intent to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) as early as … Continue Reading
President Barack Obama will travel to Chicago on Tuesday, 10 January, to deliver his farewell address to the nation. U.S. businessman Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 45th President of the United States on Friday, 20 January. Trump Transition News – Confirmation Hearings. Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) Chairman Bob Corker (R-Tennessee) has … Continue Reading
