News & Publications - Braumiller Law Group

Behind the Numbers: My Transformative Internship Journey at SAT (Tax Administration Service)

By: Brenda Noyola Cordova, Intern, BLG Mexico Legal Counsel

My internship in Mexico was with the Servicio de Administración Tributaria (SAT), the office responsible for applying tax and customs legislation, which facilitates trade through customs administration. With its influence extending across both the public and private sectors, SAT stands at the forefront of Mexico’s efforts to promote transparency, efficiency, and fiscal responsibility. My internship experience within this institution offered invaluable insights into its operations and the impact it has on the nation’s economic landscape.

The U.S. Effort to Keep AI Out of China’s Hands

By: Olivia Van Pelt, Law Clerk at Braumiller Law Group

It comes as no surprise China has been a major focus point of the second Trump administration. One of the key reasons for this focus is the increasing national security concerns over technology. In particular, the smuggling of AI chips, which China intends to use in developing advanced AI systems for military purposes and surveillance.

Trade Wars & Sanctions – The New Trade Order

By: Adrienne Braumiller, Founder of Braumiller Law Group, and Olivia Van Pelt, Law Clerk at Braumiller Law Group

Question 1: How are you advising businesses in your jurisdiction when protecting themselves from the impact of trade wars and sanctions, and what strategies can professional services firms offer to mitigate these risks?

Rare Earth Minerals, and China’s Global Dominance

By Bob Brewer, Braumiller Law Group

If I heard it once, I’ve heard it a thousand times, China is the sourcing capital of the world. I’ve also repeated this statement at least 400+ times in many conversations over the years regarding global trade. China, it’s also where the global market goes for rare earth minerals, among thousands of other necessary elements for a veritable plethora of life’s essential things.

Tariffs and the Future of U.S. Beef

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

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.

Section 232 Investigation of Commercial Aircraft, Jet Engines and Parts

By Bruce Leeds, Senior Counsel, Braumiller Law Group

In a recent Federal Register notice the Bureau of Industry & Security (BIS) of the Department of Commerce announced that “On May 1, 2025, the Secretary of Commerce initiated an investigation to determine the effects on the national security of imports of commercial aircraft and jet engines, and parts for commercial aircraft and jet engines. This investigation has been initiated under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended (Section 232).” The investigation may take up to 270 days but it can be concluded sooner.

The Tokenization Rulebook: Compliance Strategies for the Digital Asset Revolution

By: James R. Holbein, Of Counsel and Justin Holbein

Since Bitcoin’s creation in 2008, cryptocurrencies and traditional assets have largely existed in parallel. In our previous exploration of Real World Assets (RWAs) (Assessing the Benefits and Challenges of Tokenizing Real World Assets, February 7, 2024), we identified how the lack of reliable bridges between on-chain and off-chain ecosystems has constrained the transformative potential of blockchain technology.

Tariffs Legal Decisions Under IEEPA Raise Constitutional Issues for Circuit Courts

By: James R. Holbein, Of Counsel

Several lawsuits challenging the legal validity of the tariff actions taken by President Trump since he took office on January 20, 2025, are in process of moving through the federal courts. They raise a variety of important jurisdictional and constitutional questions and seem poised to lead to challenges in federal circuit courts and the Supreme Court.

CTPAT: An Anchor for Weathering the Trade Storms

By: Judy Davis, Senior Trade Advisor, A few weeks ago, at the Trade and Cargo Security Summit, held in New Orleans, we learned that CBP (Customs and Border Protection) WAS NOT going to discuss the current administration’s policy during the conference. (Cue the dramatic music). Will you feel better if I tell you the groan across the audience was conspicuously audible? No? Well, I tried.

Protectionism or Free Trade?

By Mike Smiszek, Senior Trade Advisor, Braumiller Consulting Group

Many of our basic freedoms are guaranteed by the Constitution. Speech, press, assembly, religion: these are all accepted as sacrosanct rights by reasonable people across the political spectrum. But should we not have the same freedom when it comes to the economy?

The Art of the (UK) Deal

By Paul Fudacz, Partner, Braumiller Law Group and Olivia Van Pelt, Law Clerk at Braumiller Law Group

On May 8, 2025, the United States and United Kingdom (UK) unveiled the new trade terms of an “economic prosperity” deal. This deal comes after President Trump imposed a 10% reciprocal tariff on all products from the UK and additional tariffs on steel and aluminum, and automobiles and automobile parts. While the 10% reciprocal tariff will remain in effect, the two countries were able to agree on alternative arrangements for steel and aluminum, automobiles, and other strategic sectors.

Trump’s Plan B for Tariffs

By: Olivia Van Pelt, Law Clerk at Braumiller Law Group

On May 28, 2025, the United States’ Court of International Trade (CIT) struck down the President’s use of the International Economic Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose tariffs. This includes tariffs imposed on Canada, China, and Mexico in response to the fentanyl crisis at U.S.’ borders and reciprocal tariffs imposed on almost all foreign imports on April 2, 2025. The Government immediately appealed the decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC).

U.S. vs China as a Global Trade Partner, Are We (U.S.) the Bad Guys?

By: Victoria Holmes, Braumiller Law Group

A quiet but significant power shift has been unfolding across Latin America. While the United States has long been the dominant economic and political influence in the region, its recent inward turn under the “America First” doctrine has created openings that China is eager to fill.

Surviving the 2025 Tariff Wave: A Strategic Guide for U.S. Importers

By: James R. Holbein, Of Counsel

The first quarter of 2025 has reshaped the U.S. trade landscape with a flurry of executive actions by the Trump administration, introducing a new wave of tariffs on imports from almost all U.S. trading partners. The Trump Administration has also levied broad duties on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China, on the basis of emergency powers of the Executive Branch, citing national security, border control, and illicit drug interdiction.