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Alexander H. Schaefer is a partner in the International Trade Group at the firm's Washington, D.C. office. Alex represents clients contending with U.S. import regulations, including the customs and trade remedies laws. He assists clients with a broad range of Customs issues, including tariff classification, import valuation, focused assessment audits, penalty proceedings, prior disclosures, reconciliation, special duty programs, and free trade agreements. In addition, Alex has represented both petitioners and respondents in a variety of trade remedy cases, including antidumping, countervailing duty, and Section 201 proceedings before the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. International Trade Commission, the U.S. Court of International Trade, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Alex is a member of the International Trade Group's duty recovery team, which helps companies identify opportunities to minimize import duty outlays and cut supply chain costs to increase profitability. Alex also works closely with the firm's Product Risk Management Group, which helps clients in a broad range of industries identify potential legal risks associated with new products and ventures as well as providing advice on risk management tactics and protocols.

Alex is a member of the bars of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the District of Columbia.

Considering the impact of U.S. – China tariffs on our economy and the global supply chain, Nicole Simonian and Dj Wolff, Co-Chairs of the International Trade Group, talk with Alex Schaefer, International Trade partner, as he helps us understand the details and impact of the recent U.S. – China tariffs deal, as well as what

On March 6, 2025, following discussions with the heads of major U.S. automakers, the White House announced a one-month suspension of the IEEPA tariffs on Mexico and Canada for certain USMCA-originating automotive sector products. The White House subsequently expanded that temporary suspension to all products from Canada and Mexico that satisfy USMCA’s “origination” requirements. Products

On May 24, 2021, The Department of Commerce (Commerce) announced its affirmative final determinations in the antidumping duty (AD) investigation and countervailing duty (CVD) investigation of passenger vehicle and light truck tires (PVLT). Notably, in the CVD investigation, Commerce found that exporters from Vietnam received subsidies including through undervalued currency exchange rates. This is the

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The USTR published a Federal Register Notice announcing its yearly “special review” to identify countries that deny adequate and effective protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) or deny fair and equitable market access to U.S. persons who rely on intellectual property protection under Section 301 of

On December 28, 2018, USTR published in the Federal Register the first Section 301 List 1 Product Exclusions. The exclusions apply as of the July 6, 2018 effective date of “List 1,” and will extend for one year after the publication of this notice. U.S. Customs and Border Protection will issue instructions on entry

On July 10, 2018, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer announced that at President Trump’s request, USTR has initiated the process of imposing an additional 10 percent ad valorem duty on approximately $200 billion worth of imports from China including apparel, textiles, chemicals, and agricultural & aquacultural goods.

The USTR statement includes a link to

Media sources are reporting the Department of Commerce will not consider steel and aluminum product exclusions for countries subject to quotas. Only countries facing the tariffs will be considered for product exclusions.

Currently, South Korea, Brazil, and Argentina have agreed to an absolute quota deal on certain steel products that are subject to the Section

On April 30th, the President issued two proclamations extending country exemptions for certain U.S. allies on the steel and aluminum tariffs pursuant to Section 232(b) of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.

The President extended temporary exemptions for Canada, Mexico, and the European Union, granted a permanent exemption on steel tariffs for South