An update on Anti-Forced Labor guidance issued by US Customs in the context of Withhold Release Orders (WROs).
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CBP Announces Forced Labor Allegations Portal Rollout
On June 20, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) deployed its new Forced Labor Allegations Portal, which allows users to submit allegations of forced labor. The new portal replaces CBP’s Trade Violations Reporting (“TVR”) system for submitting forced labor allegations, and complaints can be submitted anonymously by trade users. Users are also able
First Suit Against Trump IEEPA Tariffs Filed in Florida
A Florida-based small business is first out of the gate to challenge President Trump’s sweeping new tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977. The complaint was filed by conservative legal advocacy group New Civil Liberties Alliance (“NCLA”) on behalf of Emily Ley Paper, Inc.(doing business as “Simplified”), a small business based in
The Maximum Pressure Campaign Escalates: OFAC Designates a Chinese Refiner of Iranian Crude
On March 20, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) designated the “teapot” Chinese oil refinery Shandong Shouguang Luqing Petrochemical Co., Ltd. (“Luqing Petrochemical”), its chief executive officer, eight vessels, and eleven vessel owners, managers, and operators, on OFAC’s List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (“SDN List”).
Caroline Brown Recognized by Foreign Investment Watch
We are proud to share that our partner Caroline Brown is named on the Foreign Investment Watch Top Advisor list for the second consecutive year. To learn more about this 2025 recognition as a top advisor on foreign investment and national security in the United States and abroad and Caroline’s practice, read HERE.
China Technology Transfer Control Act Introduced to Strengthen Export Controls vis-à-vis China
On February 7, 2025, Representative Mark Green (R-TN-7) introduced the China Technology Transfer Control Act, a bill which would restrict the export to the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) certain “national interest technology” and intellectual property. According to a statement by Rep. Green, the bill is intended as a sign to “get serious about protecting
White House Updates Section 232 Tariffs on Steel, Aluminum
On February 10, 2025, the White House released an executive order (“EO” or “Order”) titled “Adjusting Imports of Steel into the United States” that reinstates a 25% tariff on imports of steel and steel derivative products into the United States. The administration has also previewed a parallel executive order on aluminum and aluminum derivative product
White House Amends Feb 1st Executive Order, Temporarily Reinstates De Minimis Eligibility for China-Origin Goods
On February 5, 2025, the White House issued an amendment to an Executive Order (“EO”) issued by President Trump on February 1, titled “Imposing Duties to Address the Synthetic Opioid Supply Chain in the People’s Republic of China.” The amendment states that “de minimis treatment under 19 U.S.C. 1321 is available for otherwise eligible
Moolenaar Heads Reintroduction of Bill to Strip China of PNTR Status
Yesterday, Representative John Moolenaar (R-MI) of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, along with House Ways & Means Committee member Tom Suozzi (D-NY), reintroduced a bill in the House of Representatives to revoke Permanent Normal Trade Relations (“PNTR”) with the People’s Republic of China. When reintroducing the bill, Molenaar cited to Trump’s
DHS Adds 29 Companies in Metals and Food Processing Sectors to UFLPA Entity List
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the addition of 29 companies based in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Entity List.
The updated list now includes a total of 107 entities, with the newly added companies operating in the food processing and metals sectors.