Insights on International Trade & Investment

On February 11, the US Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) announced a settlement agreement and $252 million civil penalty against California-based Applied Materials Inc. and its subsidiary Applied Materials Korea, Ltd.

Customs Practice Leader Angela Santos and Senior Associate Lucas Rock will present at a Canadian Apparel Federation webinar examining the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling on tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

International Trade & Investment Partner James Kim will lead a discussion at DesignCon 2026 on February 25th.

Customs & Import Compliance Practice Group Leader Angela Santos was quoted on the US Supreme Court’s 6-3 ruling that the Trump Administration lacks constitutional authority to impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

ArentFox Schiff is pleased to announce that five thought leaders have been recognized by the 2026 JD Supra Readers’ Choice Awards, which acknowledge the visibility and engagement their thought leadership has earned among readers over the past year.

After months of anticipation, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) has issued its long-awaited opinion on the legality of the tariffs imposed by President Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA or the Act), and the decision should be a landmark victory for importers.

When most consumer product companies think about the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), they think recalls and injury prevention.

Welcome to the February 2026 issue of “As the (Customs and Trade) World Turns,” our monthly newsletter where we compile essential updates from the customs and trade world over the past month. We bring you the most recent and significant insights in an accessible format, concluding with our main takeaways — aka “And the Fox Says…” — on what you need to know.

ArentFox Schiff has released its latest annual report analyzing forced labor law developments and enforcement activity.

ArentFox Schiff is pleased to announce that five practice areas and 12 attorneys were recognized by Chambers Global 2026, including in the guide’s newly minted Global Market Leaders category.

While enforcement may have taken a backseat to other trade priorities in 2025, this year may be poised to bring a swift and aggressive return to form, particularly if the tariff landscape begins to stabilize.

The healthcare group purchasing industry continues to provide critical market savings to hospitals, nursing homes, and medical practices throughout the United States – even as a panoply of issues place undue strain on healthcare supply chains – according to the 20th Annual Report of the Healthcare Group Purchasing Industry Initiative (HGPII).

The US market is both coveted and feared by overseas consumer‑product suppliers. Coveted for its scale and purchasing power, with fear that US product‑liability litigation inevitably follows sales.

On January 29, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took its first steps to loosen the sanctions against Venezuela following the capture and removal of Nicolás Maduro at the beginning of January.

On February 2, the US Department of Commerce issued a Federal Register Notice outlining “US content” exemption procedures and requirements under the Section 232 tariffs on certain medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (MHDVs).

H-1B work visas are the most common work visas for foreign nationals in professional positions (which are jobs requiring at least a bachelor’s degree in a specific specialty). Most employers can only apply for a worker’s initial H-1B one time per year.

On January 20, Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the World Economic Forum. Coming a week after his meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping, his remarks made headlines globally.

International Trade & Investment Partner and Customs & Import Compliance Practice Leader Angela Santos will present on recent developments in international trade at ABA International Law Section’s The Americas Conference on January 27, 2026.

In a January 20 interim final rule, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) eased restrictions on the export, reexport, and transfer (in-country) of certain types of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to lower risk destinations.

Welcome to the January 2026 issue of “As the (Customs and Trade) World Turns,” our monthly newsletter where we compile essential updates from the customs and trade world over the past month. We bring you the most recent and significant insights in an accessible format, concluding with our main takeaways — aka “And the Fox Says…” — on what you need to know.

Customs & Import Compliance Practice Group Leader and Fashion & Retail Industry Co-Leader Angela Santas was quoted on the impact of chronic uncertainty regarding tariffs on the fashion and retail industries.

Effective January 21, the United States will indefinitely suspend immigrant visa issuance to nationals of 75 countries listed below.

The past year, global trade upended. Through aggressive use of tariffs under the International Economic Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA), expanded Section 232 investigations, and a sustained enforcement crackdown, the Trump Administration made good on US Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer’s promise to “remake the global order.” The result: a fundamentally different operating environment for importers.

On January 15, the US Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) published a final rule revising its license review policy for exports of Nvidia H200 chips and its equivalents to China and Macau.

Last year saw a number of significant developments in US export controls and sanctions.