Victoria Holmes, Author at Braumiller Law Group

How the Trump Administration Pushed China Deeper into Latin America

April 7, 2025

By: Victoria Holmes, Braumiller Law Group

Donald Trump’s first term in office pursued an aggressive foreign policy toward China, imposing tariffs, restricting technology transfers, and accusing Beijing of unfair trade practices. However, one unintended consequence of this hardline approach has been China’s accelerated expansion into Latin America—a region traditionally within the U.S. sphere of influence.

I Attended Liberation Day and All I Got Was These Lousy Tariffs. Is This Liberation? Liberation Day Hangover

April 7, 2025

By: Victoria Holmes, Braumiller Law Group

Liberation Day passed with the promised reciprocal tariffs touted by the Trump administration. The president, surrounded by workers in the Rose Garden on April 2, executed a number of tariffs promising to Make America Wealthy Again. How did they calculate these tariffs? Well, there’s speculation.

The External Revenue Service: A Bureaucratic Overreach or Necessary Reform?

February 10, 2025

By: Victoria Holmes, Braumiller Law Group

President Donald Trump made headlines when he announced an External Revenue Service (ERS) agency to collect tariff incomes. The announcement sparked a heated debate among trade experts, economists, and business leaders. But, what exactly would be the purpose of the agency? Well, we can take the words spoken from his inauguration address as an answer.

China’s Growing Influence in Latin America: Infrastructure Investments and Implications for the Panama Canal

February 10, 2025

By: Victoria Holmes, Braumiller Law Group

China has significantly expanded its economic and geopolitical footprint in Latin America, particularly through the acquisition and development of critical infrastructure such as ports, airfields, and railways. This strategic move has raised questions about the long-term implications for regional sovereignty, global trade routes, and the future of the Panama Canal, a linchpin of international maritime commerce.

Tariffs, Trade & Trump

December 11, 2024

By: Victoria Holmes, Braumiller Law Group
Historically, trade agreements have focused on reducing barriers to trade—such as tariffs and quotas—while encouraging economic integration and growth. Environmental protection was often considered a separate issue, addressed primarily through national regulations or multilateral environmental agreements like the Paris Agreement. However, recent developments suggest that trade and environmental concerns are converging, with many new trade agreements incorporating specific environmental provisions.

The Future of Environmental Protection Laws and Trade Agreements

October 7, 2024

BRICS – Shaping the Future of Global Finance and Investment

August 9, 2024

By: Victoria Holmes, Braumiller Law Group
Imagine a world where five powerhouse nations are redefining the global economic landscape. BRICS—an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—is not just a coalition of emerging markets; it is a formidable alliance shaping the future of global finance and investment. You can read about the coalition’s attempt to unseat the US dollar in our previous newsletter.

The Trade Powerhouse: Analyzing Texas’ Role in Global and National Trade

August 9, 2024

By: Victoria Holmes, Braumiller Law Group
Texas isn’t just celebrated for its breathtaking landscapes and rich history—it’s a dynamic powerhouse in international and interstate trade. As the second-largest state in the U.S., Texas capitalizes on its strategic location, diverse economy, and vast infrastructure to fuel an extraordinary flow of goods and services. If Texas was a country, it would be ranked as the eighth- largest economy in the world, ahead of both Canada and Russia.

Foreign Direct Investment Trends in 2024

June 7, 2024

By: Victoria Holmes, Braumiller Law Group
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is a driving force behind global economic growth and development, acting as a lifeline of funding for nations around the world. Imagine a company from one corner of the globe setting up shop or acquiring a business in another – that’s FDI in action.

The Nexus of Trade and Food Security Amid Global Conflicts

April 1, 2024

By: Victoria Holmes, Braumiller Law Group
The intricate interplay between trade and food security has emerged as a vital global issue, one that is closely interwoven with the tapestry of international conflicts and political instability. Remember the 2019 pandemic when toilet paper supply chains were interrupted? Now imagine that on a much larger scale with basic food staples like rice, wheat or corn.

Taiwan, Invasion & Trade, Part 2

February 5, 2024

By: Victoria Holmes, Braumiller Law Group
President elect Lai Ching-te’s victory in Taipei ignited tensions across the Taiwan strait and now the geopolitical field waits to see if China will kick off World War Three. I’m only slightly joking, but Beijing has exerted diplomatic pressure on nations maintaining close ties with the island in the past and Taiwan’s decision to remain a democracy will no doubt ramp up China’s reunification process in the coming months. But how will that affect trade relations?

The Domino Effect: What Would an Invasion of Taiwan Mean for Global Trade

November 8, 2023

By: Victoria Holmes, Braumiller Law Group
Tensions are escalating in the South China Sea, a vital maritime route for international trade. Taiwan remains at the center of this conflict and in an increasingly interconnected world, the prospect of a Taiwan invasion has far-reaching implications for global trade and geopolitics. It’s becoming even more crucial to understand the potential repercussions of such an event on the global economy as a potential invasion from China becomes increasingly more likely.

The FDA is Cracking Down on Supplement Manufacturers

December 8, 2022

By: Victoria Holmes, Braumiller Law Group
Enter any of the more health-oriented grocery stores in the U.S., like Whole Foods, and you’ll see aisles upon aisles of supplements —everything from multivitamins to fish oil to protein powders.