Perspectives on International Trade & Investment

On October 14, 2016, the Office of Antiboycott Compliance joined the 21st century and issued a Final Rule that permits electronic submission as an additional method to report requests.

The False Claims Act imposes liability on persons and companies who defraud the government of monies, whether it is by receiving monies based on false statements or material omissions, or avoiding the payment of monies through false statements or omissions.

A new duty evasion investigation process, implemented through interim regulations issued by Customs and Border Protection on August 22, has the potential to be a game changer for a lot of importers.

Forty-two Arent Fox LLP attorneys have been rated as leaders in their profession by The Best Lawyers in America 2017.

The Office of the US Trade Representative on Friday, August 12 submitted to Congress the president’s draft Statement of Administration Action. The submission is necessary for US ratification and implementation of the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has been directed by Congress to be much more aggressive in enforcing the customs laws. This has led to CBP starting a number of new initiatives and procedures to target and take action on what it deems to be “high risk” transactions.

The summer heat has not been confined to the weather. US Customs and Border Protection is warming up the import world with more audits and enforcement actions.

Two China-based clothing manufacturers, Motives Far East and Motives China Limited, and their affiliated US importer, Motives, Incorporated, agreed to pay nearly $13.4 million for engaging in a double invoicing scheme designed to defraud the US out of millions of dollars in customs duties.

Although the United States has had effective economic sanctions on North Korea for many years, the temporary softening of US sanctions in 2000 has given way to ever-increasing sanctions since 2008.

The 2016 edition of Legal 500 US has rated 46 Arent Fox LLP attorneys as national leaders in their field. In addition, 14 of the firm’s practice areas were ranked among the best in the country.

US Customs and Border Protection has been directed by Congress to be much more aggressive in policing antidumping and countervailing duty orders.

Last week, the International Trade Commission issued its report on the Trans-Pacific Partnership’s overall impact on US trade.

New provisions in the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 arm the government with new enforcement tools that rights holders can use to bolster intellectual property right (IPR) protection, especially for semiconductor components.

On Wednesday, the US International Trade Commission (ITC) released its economic assessment of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, predicting small rises in US employment, GDP, and exports as a result of the agreement over the next 15 years.

On April 26, 2016, United States Steel Corporation filed a massive trade case accusing Chinese steel producers and their distributors of conspiring to fix prices, steal trade secrets and use false labeling to avoid trade duties.

The Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 was voted and approved on April 27, 2016 and is now on its way down Pennsylvania Avenue to the President’s desk for signing.

Why does it matter? This seemingly inconsequential distinction may mean the difference between being able to prominently display your embroidered brand trademark on your jeans and being required to place a large “Made in China” marking next to the embroidered brand trademark.

Buried among all the provisions arming the government with new enforcement tools in the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 are a handful of benefits which, if applied correctly and appropriately, could save importers money. 

On April 15, the World Bank released updated public disclosures of its suspension and debarment practices against companies that violate its compliance directives.

The Trade Facilitation and Enforcement Act of 2015 repealed the “consumptive demand” exemption to the ban on imports made by “forced labor.” The repeal became effective on March 10, 2016.

Autonomous driving, hybrids, and electric vehicles are now squarely part of our generation’s lexicon.

There is no “adequate procedures” defense to bribery under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, but it has long been understood that maintaining a robust, risk-based compliance program can lead to reduced charges and penalties.

International trade practice group leader Kay Georgi recently spoke with Reuters to address a new US export restriction against a telecom manufacturer that is expected to have major implications across the global trade market.