Trade News

Trade News
14
Jan
1 Introduction
The EU Single Market brings together 450 million people and 26 million businesses. It is one of the cornerstones of European integration, serving as a dynamic engine for welfare gains, competitiveness and resilience. By facilitating the free movement of goods, services, capital and labour, it has enhanced economic efficiency through economies of scale, stronger competition and increased innovation. ECB research indicates that between 1993 and 2014 the Single Market increased real GDP per capita by 12-22% across founding Member...
12
Jan
On December 31, 2025, President Donald Trump issued a proclamation (the amendment), delaying the increase in tariffs for certain finished wood products until January 1, 2027. The amendment modifies Proclamation 10976, which imposed tariffs under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act on certain imports of timber, lumber, and derivative wood products (Section 232 wood tariffs). The original action established additional duties on softwood timber and lumber, upholstered wooden furniture, and kitchen cabinets and vanities, and it scheduled significant rate increases for...
12
Jan
In this week’s Roar: Trans-Pacific Ocean rates are up, the challenges of moving inventory closer to customers, low U.S. manufacturing activity, the new EU Emissions Trading System rules, and building a data-driven supply chain.
Trans-Pacific Ocean rates are trending up ahead of the Lunar New Year. The causes included shippers speeding up shipments ahead of the holiday and geopolitics still weighing on the global supply chain. For now, despite some improvements, Red Sea diversions remain an issue, forcing longer and costlier routes. Lingering...
09
Jan
The Council today adopted two decisions authorising the signature of the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement (EMPA) and of the Interim Trade Agreement (iTA) between the EU and Mercosur.
Together, these agreements mark an important milestone in the EU’s long-standing relationship with Mercosur partners – Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Once in force, they will establish a framework for political dialogue, cooperation and trade relations within a modernised and comprehensive partnership.
The agreements will require the consent of the European Parliament before they can be formally concluded by...
09
Jan
January 9, 2026
As we ring in the new year, we want to make you aware of key issues affecting consumers that we expect lawmakers and regulators to focus on over the next 12 months. Below are the top transatlantic consumer protection issues to watch out for in 2026:
Regulators will actively enforce laws that apply to subscription services. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) may propose a new Negative Option Rule, and detailed rules governing subscription services will come into...
09
Jan
Key Takeaways:
Hundreds of new cases have been filed at the U.S. Court of International Trade (“CIT”) since the November 5, 2025 oral arguments at the U.S. Supreme Court (“SCOTUS”) in the appeal challenging the legality of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”) as the statutory authority to impose tariffs and seeking to preserve potential refund rights for IEEPA-based tariffs paid by the plaintiffs.
On December 15, 2025, the CIT denied a motion for a preliminary injunction seeking...
08
Jan
Highlights
Department of Justice (DOJ) enforcement of tariff and customs compliance is accelerating. Recent criminal charges, corporate resolutions, and False Claims Act (FCA) settlements show coordinated civil and criminal scrutiny of tariff evasion, false country of origin claims, and transshipment practices.
Financial and personal exposure is significant. Companies face large civil penalties and settlements, while executives and employees may be subject to individual criminal liability. Whistleblower driven cases continue to play a major role in enforcement.
Strong compliance and...
08
Jan
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued an interim final rule (the Rule) that will fundamentally change how customs refunds are paid. Effective February 6, 2026, CBP will, with limited exceptions, stop issuing paper refund checks and instead pay all refunds electronically via Automated Clearing House (ACH). The Rule implements federal law requiring electronic federal payments and aligns with Executive Order 14247, which requires that all federal payments and collections move away from paper checks and be conducted electronically. Comments...
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