Despite the Congressional recess and continued focus on COVID-19 economic relief, Trump officials announced several major trade actions over the last week that could impact global trade and supply chains. Here is a quick round-up of recent developments and what may be coming next.… Continue Reading
On Thursday, May 7 at 10 a.m. EDT (16:00 CEST), José María Viñals, trade practitioner based in our Madrid and Brussels offices, will moderate a panel discussion on the economic and trade impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on Latin America.… Continue Reading
As world leaders and healthcare professionals respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses around the world have been forced to adapt to new restrictions, unpredictable supply chains and a limited workforce. For medical and pharmaceutical products, demand is high and the efficient movement of inputs is critical. For many other industries, dwindling consumer demand is already … Continue Reading
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) will host a private discussion that features our colleagues former US Ambassador to India Frank G. Wisner and co-chair of the Squire Patton Boggs International Trade Practice Frank Samolis.… Continue Reading
The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) and SPM Capital Advisors will host two private industry roundtables on ‘The Evolving US India Relations‘ that feature our colleagues former US Ambassador to India Frank G. Wisner, former British diplomat Matthew Kirk and the co-chairs of the Squire Patton Boggs International Trade Practice, George Grammas and Frank Samolis. October 15, 2019 – … Continue Reading
Ahead of the Curve: Addressing the Changing Environment of US-China Trade Compliance and Export Controls Thursday, October 10, 2019 – Shanghai Monday, October 14, 2019 – Beijing… Continue Reading
Executive Order (EO) 13867 is the most recent in a series of EOs issued by President Trump in an effort to cut through red tape in infrastructure permitting – particularly for energy infrastructure and even more particularly for energy export infrastructure.… Continue Reading
Congratulations to the National Association of Manufacturers’ Manufacturers’ Compliance Institute for the 2018 Corporate Counsel In-House Innovator Award!… 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
The first round of 5-day negotiations to modernize the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) concluded on August 20. In a joint statement released by trade officials from the United States, Mexico and Canada, they restated the commitment to updating the deal, continuing domestic consultations, and working on draft text. They also committed to a … Continue Reading
The UK government’s Department of International Trade Export Control Organisation (ECO) will put on this year’s Export Control Symposium on Tuesday 21 March at the Westminster Conference Centre. The symposium will include plenary session covering wide ranging global trading issues, four specialist workshops, and networking “village” for delegates and exhibitors.… 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
Iran – Sanctions Measure Advances. Last week, the Senate passed the Iran Sanctions Extension Act (H.R. 6297) by a vote of 99-0, sending the measure to President Obama’s desk. Members of Congress and Administration officials have said they do not believe renewal of the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA) would violate terms of the nuclear agreement … Continue Reading
Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential election against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on 8 November in what many are describing as an upset. President-Elect Trump’s transition team is now tasked with vetting possible Cabinet officials and lower-level appointees, receiving background briefings from the Obama Administration, and crafting policy proposals based on his campaign … Continue Reading
Likely Major Policy Developments President-Elect Trump will enter the White House facing a dramatic decline in global trade growth. A recent World Trade Organization (WTO) report notes that 2016 marks the slowest pace of trade and output growth since the 2008 financial crisis. WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo called slowing trade growth “a wake-up call,” … Continue Reading
On 12 August, a WTO dispute settlement panel confirmed that Russian import duties on paper, refrigerators and palm oil violate WTO rules. According to the panel, the import duties exceed those Russia agreed to when it joined the WTO in August 2012. This marks the first case ever decided in the WTO against Russia. The EU has initiated dispute settlement … Continue Reading
The U.S. Congress is in recess until after the 8 November elections. JASTA – Congress Overturns the Veto. Both chambers of Congress voted last week to override President Obama’s veto of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA; S. 2040), marking the first time lawmakers have successfully overridden a veto during his eight years … Continue Reading
U.S. businessman Donald Trump accepted the Republican presidential nomination last week at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. In his acceptance speech, Mr. Trump called for a “new, fair trade policy that protects our jobs and stands up to countries that cheat.” He also said that he would “make individual deals with individual countries. … Continue Reading
Our partners Dr. Jens Rinze (Frankfurt) will give a practical insight into the issues that financial institutions, corporations and other businesses would face if the UK votes for Brexit. This complimentary seminar will take place on 9 June from 4-6 pm in the Squire Patton Boggs Warsaw offices. Topics will include: How would a Brexit work from the legal … Continue Reading
In an unprecedented move, over 60 business leaders from all over the world gathered at the WTO on May 30 as part of the Trade Dialogues event. Business leaders encouraged the WTO to address a variety of issues including electronic commerce, rules to better facilitate services and investment flows, support for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, … Continue Reading
G-7 Leaders’ Declaration. The G-7 Leaders’ Declaration issued on Friday from Ise-Shima, Japan, touched on topics such as the global economy, trade, maritime security, cyberspace, anti-corruption, infrastructure, global health challenges, climate change and female empowerment. The Leaders advocated TPP member states ratify the agreement, while also addressing the global excess steel capacity issue, government subsidies … Continue Reading
The House Ways and Means Committee marked up a bill (H.R. 4923) last Wednesday that would reform the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB) process. The full House will consider the measure this Wednesday under suspension of the rules, which is reserved for non-controversial bills. The House will also consider the Senate-passed version of the Defend Trade … Continue Reading
