Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the African continent has seen challenges like other parts of the world that are affecting trade. This includes a moving effective date for the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), which slid from July 1 to possibly January 1, 2021, to avoid distracting African leaders as they respond to the pandemic. Nevertheless, there is a push to have the continent move forward with the implementation of the AfCFTA, to spur further collaboration and intra-Africa trade, which, in turn, could help the continent better weather economic downturns related to the global pandemic. The AfCFTA, once implemented, will create a US$3.4 trillion economic bloc, which would provide Africa with increased leverage in the global economy. Continue Reading
Potential EU Retaliatory Tariffs on the Horizon – Is Your Business Prepared?
On October 13, 2020 the World Trade Organization (WTO) issued its latest ruling in the long-standing Boeing-Airbus dispute, granting the EU the authority to impose compensatory tariffs totaling up to US$4 billion on US goods in response to allegedly illegal subsidies provided to Boeing. Once again, US exporting companies find themselves in the crosshairs, as EU officials prepare for potential retaliatory tariffs targeting transatlantic trade. Continue Reading
UK Announces New National Security and Investment (NSI) Regime
On November 11, 2020, the UK government announced a new NSI regime. Under the new regime, certain direct foreign investments in the UK will require mandatory notification to, and prior approval by, the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) before completion. Continue Reading
Trump Flexes Executive Muscle to Address Chinese Military Threat
On November 12, 2020, the President signed an Executive Order (EO) on “Addressing the Threat from Securities Investments that Finance Communist Chinese Military Companies.” The EO generally prohibits any transaction in publicly traded securities, or any securities that are derivative of, or are designed to provide investment exposure to such securities, of any Chinese military company, by any US person. Continue Reading
US-EU-UK Export Controls and Sanctions Recap – October 2020
The latest edition of our transatlantic export controls and sanctions wrap-up is now available. In this publication, we look at the shifting regulatory framework for international trade compliance on both sides of the Atlantic.
In this issue, we cover: Continue Reading
US Accessibility to WeChat and TikTok in Danger of Being Eliminated – Interview by Legal Talk Today
The Latest – Our blog post attracted the attention of the host and producer of the podcast Legal Talk Today. George Grammas, co-chair of our International Trade Practice, spoke to Legal Talk Today in early October about the extended impacts that could result from banning these applications in the US market.
Listen to the interview here. Also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
**Updated on September 22, 2020**
Pursuant to Executive Orders 13942 and 13943, the US Department of Commerce (Commerce)
published regulations identifying prohibited transactions related to TikTok and WeChat by any person, or
with respect to any property, subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
Hong Kong and the New Opium War
Today, Hong Kong is once again the arena where the great powers settle their trade disputes.
President Trump Uses Executive Power to Target Reverse Discrimination in Federal Contracting
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.
China Publishes Regulations on Unreliable Entity List
On September 19, 2020, the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China (the MOFCOM) published the Regulations on Unreliable Entity List (Regulations), which became effective the same day.
Following its first announcement on May 31, 2019, the unreliable entities list (UEL) has attracted the attention the Chinese and non-Chinese media alike. Numerous questions were raised about the UEL’s implication and implementation. The Regulations attempt to address these questions. The MOFCOM has yet to name any unreliable entity. Continue Reading
Trump Officials to Probe Produce Imports, Raising the Risk for More Tariffs in 2020
On September 1, the Office of the US Trade Representative, working with the Departments of Commerce (DOC) and of Agriculture (USDA), announced a number of actions aimed at supporting domestic producers of seasonal/perishable produce. Their plans – which include new trade actions targeting certain fruit and vegetable imports – could have widespread impacts on produce prices and in how the US government responds to allegations of unfair subsidies supporting foreign-grown fruits and vegetables. Continue Reading
