- New License
CFIUS annual report for 2024: Key takeaways
On August 6, 2025, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) released its annual report to Congress for calendar year 2024. This annual publication includes the 325 covered transactions—consisting of 209 written notices and 116 declarations—that were filed for CFIUS’s review last year.
CFIUS is an interagency committee authorized to review
DOJ dedicates significant resources to priority of investigating and prosecuting tariff evasion
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is reshaping the Criminal Division’s white-collar program to focus on tariff and trade fraud. In the past months, DOJ has significantly narrowed the scope of Foreign Corrupt Practices Act enforcement. Now, DOJ is dedicating significant additional resources and attention to tariff evasion. On July 10, acting Assistant Attorney General of
Potential U.S. tariffs on copper imports and the ‘short squeeze’: Legal considerations for physical sale and purchase contracts
- On July 8, 2025, President Trump indicated that the United States would impose 50% tariffs on copper imports. The tariffs are expected to be imposed by end of July or start of August.
- In response to the threat of tariffs, the global copper market has experienced significant change, as traders and end users
U.S. Moves to Ban Foreign Adversary Purchases or Control of Farmland and Launches National Farm Security Action Plan
On July 8, 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the National Farm Security Action Plan (Action Plan), a sweeping initiative to protect American agriculture as a matter of national security. Among its most consequential provisions are forthcoming restrictions on foreign adversaries (e.g., China) from purchasing or controlling U.S. farmland. Highlights of the Action
Key customs and trade considerations for data centers
As global trade barriers rise and regulatory frameworks grow more complex, data centers must implement robust legal strategies to address customs valuation, origin rules, import/export controls, and maintenance-related trade challenges.
In a recent post, published as part of our Data Centers: Bytes and Rights series, we highlight and examine five key compliance areas that
Federal court permanently enjoins “fentanyl” and reciprocal tariffs; Trump requests stay
Update: On May 29, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued an immediate administrative stay of the CIT’s judgment and injunction. The plaintiffs-appellees will have until June 5 to respond to the government’s motion for a stay. The government will have until June 9 to file a reply brief. The Federal Circuit will
U.S. eases Syrian sanctions; export controls remain unchanged
On May 23, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued Syria General License 25, which authorizes a significant portion of previously prohibited transactions. The general license does not, however, amend or modify any of the existing Syria-related export controls under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations or Export Administration Regulations.
What does the
BIS plans to rescind Biden-era AI diffusion rule; imposes other controls on AI chips
On May 13, 2025, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) announced its intent to rescind the Biden administration’s Framework for Artificial Intelligence Diffusion (AI Diffusion Rule) that is scheduled to go into effect on May 15. BIS will publish a Federal Register notice formalizing its decision. In the meantime, Under Secretary of Commerce for
USTR imposes fees and restrictions on certain maritime transport services
On April 17, 2025, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced a series of fees and restrictions intended to address China’s targeting of the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors for dominance. The announcement follows the USTR’s year-long investigation into China’s acts, policies, and practices under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Maritime transport services