- Covered contractors determined to be under FOCI
UK issues General Trade Licence for import of diesel and jet fuel derived from Russian crude oil
On 19 May 2026, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) issued General Trade Licence GBSAN0004 (the Licence), authorising the import into the United Kingdom of certain processed oil products derived from Russian crude oil. The Licence, which comes into force on 20 May 2026, marks a notable relaxation of the UK’s otherwise comprehensive sanctions
National security meets the farm bill: Key provisions in the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026
On April 30, 2026, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567). The legislation extends agricultural programs through 2031 and contains significant national security elements, beyond the headline coverage of food stamp cuts and pesticide liability changes. Notably, the bill does not impose a sweeping ban
EU Deforestation Regulation simplification and clarification on scope for online sales – key takeaways for platform operators and e-commerce businesses
On 4 May 2026, the European Commission published what is expected to be the final simplification package for the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), before it starts to apply on 30 December 2026 for most companies. The EUDR requires that seven key commodities (cattle, wood, cocoa, soy, palm oil, coffee, and rubber) and their derived products
EU’s 20th Sanctions Package on Russia
On 23 April 2026, the EU adopted its 20th package of sanctions against Russia. These measures are contained in (i) Council Regulation (EU) 2026/506 (see here), (ii) Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/509 (see here), and (iii) Council Regulation (EU) 2026/511 (see here), as published in the Official Journal of the EU.
Tariff-refund class actions on the rise: What brands and retailers need to know
As U.S. Customs and Border Protection prepares to launch Phase 1 of its streamlined tariff refund process on April 20, a wave of consumer class action lawsuits is targeting brands, retailers, and importers seeking tariff-related payouts. Because consumers will not directly receive government refunds, plaintiffs across the country are filing putative class actions against major
EU’s Industrial Accelerator Act unveils “Made in EU” and low-carbon push, reshaping trade relations
- Industrial Accelerator Act introduces Union origin and low-carbon requirements for public procurement (from January 2029) and support schemes in strategic sectors.
- Energy-intensive industries face low-carbon and Union origin requirements; electric vehicles require EU assembly, 70% EU content, and phased-in battery/powertrain rules; net-zero technologies face tightening thresholds.
- Businesses must assess Union origin under customs
EU customs targets split shipments and post-entry assembly in classification enforcement push
EU customs authorities are intensifying enforcement around customs classification, with scrutiny of goods assembled in the EU after importation. The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) 2025 Annual Report explicitly identifies assembly operations performed after import as a common fraud pattern used to evade customs duties. The concern centres on components that, when classified individually, attract
RePowerEU Update: Six Countries Cleared for Simplified Gas Imports
The European Commission has granted six countries – Algeria, Nigeria, Norway, Qatar, the United Kingdom and the United States – an exemption from prior authorisation requirements for natural gas imports under the RePowerEU Regulation.
What does this mean?
Gas sourced from these six countries will no longer require prior authorisation under Article 5(3) or evidence
EU-Mercosur: Key developments shaping the trade agreement
In a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape marked by rising tensions and global economic challenges, the European Union is accelerating efforts to diversify its trade partnerships. One of the most significant recent developments is the signing of the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement (EMPA, or the Agreement) and the Interim Trade Agreement (iTA) on 17 January 2026