On December 10th, 2025 the US Trade Representative released the results of the Section 301 investigation initiated in December 2024 into Nicaragua’s alleged violations of labor rights, human rights and the rule of law protections. The investigation detailed extensive infringement
International Trade Law
Trade law news insights and commentary
The International Trade Law blog published by Crowell & Moring LLP covers legal developments and regulatory changes affecting international commerce. Topics include customs regulations, trade sanctions, tariffs, import/export controls, and enforcement actions by government agencies such as OFAC and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The blog addresses issues like forced labor findings, sanctions compliance, trade remedies, and the impact of trade policies on global supply chains. It also discusses specific country-related trade measures, such as sanctions on Belarus and tariff investigations involving Nicaragua, providing insights into the intersection of trade law, human rights, and international relations.
Latest from International Trade Law - Page 7
OFAC Fines U.S. Private Equity Fund for Russian Sanctions Violations
On December 2, 2025, OFAC announced an ~$11 million penalty settlement with IPI Partners, LLC (“IPI”), a Chicago-based U.S. private equity fund, to settle its civil liability for 51 potential violations of OFAC’s Russia sanctions. The enforcement action underscores the…
Kingtom Aluminio Defends CIT’s Forced Labor Decision
Dominican Republic-based aluminum extrusions exporter, Kingtom Aluminio SRL (Kingtom) defended a decision issued by the Court of International Trade (CIT) to vacate a forced labor Finding against Kingtom issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). On October 31, 2025, Kingtom…
Trump Exempts Agricultural Products from IEEPA Reciprocal Tariffs
On November 14, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order modifying the scope of reciprocal tariffs originally imposed under Executive Order 14257 of April 2, 2025, which declared a national emergency based on large and persistent U.S. goods trade deficits.…
European Commission Revises Dual-Use List: Highlights from the 2025 Update
On November 15, 2025, the implementing regulation updating the EU’s Dual-Use Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2021/821) came into force. The update incorporates editorial refinements for greater clarity and coherence, introduces new entries, and further clarifies some existing ones.
These…
State Department Removes Cambodia from ITAR 126.1 Proscribed Countries List
The U.S. Department of State (“State”) has decided to lift the defense trade embargo against Cambodia. Accordingly, the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (“DDTC”) will publish on November 7, 2025, a final rule amending the International Traffic in Arms Regulations…
Supreme Court Oral Argument on Presidential Tariff Authority
Yesterday, the Supreme Court of the United States heard oral argument in the consolidated case challenging the use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”) to justify sweeping import tariffs. At issue is whether IEEPA authorizes the President, upon…
CBP Faces Legal Challenge over Exclusion of Camel Energy’s Battery Imports
Camel Energy, a Michigan-based importer of lead-acid batteries, has recently filed a complaint at the Court of International Trade (CIT) contesting U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) two recent exclusions of its shipments. CBP excluded these entries due to “suspicion…
U.S. and China Announce Temporary Suspension of Certain Tariffs and Export Controls Following Trump–Xi Meeting in South Korea
On October 30, 2025, President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Busan, South Korea – this marks the first time the two leaders have engaged in face-to-face talks since 2019, during Trump’s first term.
According to a statement…
Key Takeaways from a Consequential Month of Russia-Related Sanctions
The United States, European Union, and United Kingdom have significantly escalated Russia-related sanctions the past month, including the Trump Administration’s first sanctions directly imposed on Russia. These coordinated actions—which particularly target the Russian energy sector—indicate that Russia sanctions remain on…