- SDN designations have immediate commercial
EU introduces safeguard measures on ferro-alloys imports
Yesterday, the European Union adopted safeguard measures (C/2025/7842) to curb imports of manganese- and silicon-based ferro-alloys, key alloying inputs for the European steel industry. The decision follows a surge in imports and forms part of a broader policy response to global overcapacity and shifting trade flows in the steel sector. The measures take
Regulation to phase out Russian gas imports backed by EU Council
Following the EU’s existing embargo on Russian crude oil and petroleum products, the European Commission has proposed, and the Council has now agreed in principle, a complementary Regulation designed to end the remaining inflows of Russian natural gas into the Union. The measure gives legal effect to the Commission’s May 2025 Roadmap towards ending Russian
China introduces Special Port Service Fee on U.S.‑linked vessels
China’s Ministry of Transport will impose a new “Special Port Service Fee” on U.S. linked vessels from 14 October 2025, aligning with U.S. Section 301 measures taking effect the same day. In its announcement, the Chinese Ministry of Transport criticises the U.S. actions announced in April this year and warns of significant disruption to maritime
Antitrust considerations amid shifting tariffs
With tariffs and trade measures continuing to reshape global markets, companies are navigating how best to respond, often considering price and supply chain adjustments as part of the process. As antitrust enforcers scrutinize competitor conduct, our antitrust and international trade teams have collaborated to launch a two-part podcast series, focusing on the practical impact of
Refusing voyage orders: Sanctions risk assessments must be based on evidence, not speculation
Tonzip Maritime Ltd v. 2Rivers Pte Ltd (formerly Coral Energy Pte Ltd) [2025] EWHC 2036 (Comm)
A. Key facts
On 5 November 2021, Tonzip Maritime Ltd (Owners), owner of the vessel CATALAN SEA (the Vessel), entered into a voyage charterparty with 2Rivers Pte Ltd (formerly Coral Energy Pte Ltd) (2Rivers) for the carriage of oil from Primorsk, Russia, to Aliaga, Turkey (the Charterparty).Continue Reading Refusing voyage orders: Sanctions risk assessments must be based on evidence, not speculation
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
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
OFAC announces implementation of executive order providing for the revocation of Syria sanctions
As anticipated, on June 30, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced the implementation of President Trump’s Executive Order, “Providing for the Revocation of Syria Sanctions.” This action adds to General License 25 and removes the broad U.S. sanctions previously in place against Syria and the former regime
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