Brandon French, Author at Braumiller Law Group

Tariffs and the Future of U.S. Beef

June 9, 2025

By: Brandon French, Senior Associate, and Olivia Van Pelt, Law Clerk at Braumiller Law Group

On April 2, 2025, President Trump announced reciprocal tariffs, setting a baseline rate of 10% on imports from all countries, with higher rates on dozens of countries which the United States (U.S.) runs trade deficits. Specifically, Trump imposed a 34% tariff on all Chinese imports in response to China’s 67% tariff and non-tariff barriers on U.S. exports, aiming to address what he sees as an unfair trade imbalance.

U.S.-China Trade Relations: An Update on Tariffs

June 9, 2025

By: Brandon French, Senior Associate, and Olivia Van Pelt, Law Clerk at Braumiller Law Group

Since Trump’s first term, tensions between the United States and China, the world’s two largest economies, have been on the rise. President Trump ran for his second presidential term on a promise to reduce reliance on China – and promise kept. In one of his first Presidential actions, President Trump issued an “America First Trade Policy” memorandum dedicating an entire section to trade relations with China. Since then, several tariffs have been imposed on Chinese goods and the duty-free de minimis treatment for goods valued at $800 or less ended.

President Trump Restores Section 232 Tariffs

February 27, 2025

By: Brandon French, Senior Associate, and Olivia Van Pelt, Law Clerk at Braumiller Law Group

On February 10, 2025, President Trump signed proclamations to reinstate the full 25% tariff on steel imports and increase tariffs on aluminum imports to 25%. Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 affords the President with the authority to adjust imports being brought into the U.S. in quantities or under circumstances that threaten to impair national security. The President says the reinvigorated Section 232 tariffs “will support the program’s original objective of revitalizing the domestic steel and aluminum industries and achieving sustainable capacity utilization of at least 80%.”

Should we Expect More Tariffs in the Future? Understanding Trump’s America First Trade Policy

February 10, 2025

By: Brandon French, Senior Associate, and Olivia Van Pelt, Law Clerk at Braumiller Law Group

As one of his first official acts as President, Trump released his memorandum on America First Trade Policy. The policy offers insight into the new administration’s trade priorities and calls for a review of current trade-related policies. President Trump says his goal is to establish “a robust and reinvigorated trade policy that promotes investment and productivity, enhances our Nation’s industrial and technological advantages, defends our economic and national security, and — above all — benefits American workers, manufacturers, farmers, ranchers, entrepreneurs, and businesses.”

Summary of the Findings of the USTR Four-Year Review of Actions Taken in the Section 301 Investigation

June 7, 2024

By: James R. Holbein, Of Counsel and Brandon French, Senior Associate Attorney

On May 14, 2024, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) released its Final Report relating to the four-year review of actions taken in the Section 301 investigation. Within the Report, the USTR confirmed that it intends to take actions to raise tariffs on specific products as a result of the comprehensive review.

USTR Extends Certain Section 301 Exclusions for One Year – Is Your Exclusion Still Valid?

June 7, 2024

By: Brandon French, Senior Associate, Braumiller Law Group

The United States Trade Representative (USTR) recently released a list of Section 301 exclusions that would be extended through May 31, 2025. Within the Notice, the USTR explained that extending these exclusions will support efforts to shift sourcing out of China, or provide additional time where, despite efforts to source products from alternative sources, availability of the product outside of China remains limited.

Court of International Trade (CIT) and USTR

China Section 301 Litigation:
CIT Issues Order: The Tariffs are Here to Stay

February 1, 2023

By: Vicky Wu, Partner, and Brandon French, Associate, Braumiller Law Group

The long-awaited decision by the Court of International Trade (“CIT”) was not the outcome thousands of importer companies were hoping for. On March 17, 2023, the CIT determined that the United States Trade Representative (“USTR”) legally followed Section 307 of the Trade Act of 1974.

Made in the USA Labeling Rule – What There is to Know About Increased Enforcement Within the Federal Trade Commission

December 8, 2022

By Jennifer Horvath, Partner, and Brandon French, Associate, BLG

The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) has recently begun placing more of an emphasis on Made in the USA (“MUSA”) labeling violations. A MUSA violation occurs when a company labels its product with “Made in the United States” or “USA Made Products,” among other similar phrases, when in fact the country of origin (“COO”) of the product is not the United States.

Understanding the Statutory Four-Year Review Period of the Tariffs

June 12, 2022

By: Jennifer Horvath, Partner, and Brandon French, Associate,
Braumiller Law Group

Many importers are eagerly awaiting the United States Trade Representative’s (“USTR”) required four-year review of the Section 301 Chinese tariffs. Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 grants the Office of the USTR a range of responsibilities and authorities to investigate and take action to enforce U.S. rights under trade agreements and respond to certain foreign trade practices.

Refunds Available? USTR Announces Reinstated Section 301 Exclusions

April 10, 2022

By: Brandon French, Associate, Braumiller Law Group

Since the end of 2020, almost all companies were forced to begin paying the Section 301 duties as most available exclusions expired. This was a major hit for companies who were relying on the exclusions, as the additional duties were either 25% (List 1, 2, and 3) or 15% (List 4A).

Understanding the Statutory Four-Year Review Period of the Tariffs

March 13, 2022

Understanding the America Competes Act of 2022 – What Upcoming Major Changes to International Trade Law Should You Know About?

January 10, 2022

By: Jennifer Horvath, Partner, and Brandon French, Associate,
Braumiller Law Group

The House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology recently voted to advance the America Competes Act of 2022 “the Act.” This comes after the Senate passed its version of the bill, the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, in June of 2021. The focus of the Act is to strengthen America’s scientific and technological activities in the 21st Century, in order to be able to compete with China in these critical fields in the future.

Section 301 Exclusion Reinstatement: Will this Affect your Company?

December 6, 2021

By: Brandon French, Associate Attorney, Braumiller Law Group

The United States Trade Representative (USTR) recently released a notice and comment period for the possible reinstatement of certain Section 301 exclusions. The majority of all Section 301 exclusions expired on December 31, 2020.

CBP August 2021 Operational Update

October 5, 2021

By: Brandon French, Associate

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP” or “Customs”) recently released its August 2021 operational statistics. These statistics are important for CBP to review monthly/yearly to better understand and ensure enforcement efforts continue to improve.

2022 Harmonized System Nomenclature – Any Significant Changes?

June 7, 2021

By: Brandon French, Associate Attorney, BLG The new 2022 Harmonized System (HS) nomenclature has been accepted by all parties at the Harmonized System Convention. The

The Newly Appointed USTR Katherine Tai, Who is She, and What Does This Mean for World Trade?

June 2, 2021

By: Brandon French, Associate Attorney

On March 18, 2021, the Vice President, Kamala Harris, appointed Katherine Tai as the United States Trade Representative (USTR). This came after the Senate confirmed Tai by an overwhelming 98-0 vote.

Section 301 CIT Litigation: Current Status and What’s Next?

October 8, 2020

By: Brandon French, Associate Attorney, BLG

As many importers are aware, a lawsuit was brought against the United States arguing that the List 3 and List 4A tariffs violated The Trade Act of 1974, as well as the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). Once the initial lawsuit was filed by HMTX on September 10th, companies rushed …

Section 301 Updates: The Coronavirus

April 1, 2020

By: Brandon French, Associate Attorney, Braumiller Law Group The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has recently opened a comment period to address the ongoing COVID-19

Section 301 Tariffs – A Year and a Half in Review

December 12, 2019

By: Brandon French, Associate Attorney, BLG The majority of US businesses have felt increased pressure since the imposition of the Section 301 tariffs. Companies have