International Trade Law News & Publications

Flags of the United States and Cuba with the word 'Sanctions' in the center.

“Juntos pero no Revueltos”: Recent Developments in U.S. Sanctions on Cuba and Venezuela

By: Megan Mohler, Associate Attorney and Eiyack Cacho Ayala, Associate Attorney at Braumiller Law Group
The U.S. sanctions landscape continues to evolve as the current Presidential Administration increasingly relies on sanctions and targeted licensing to advance its foreign policy objectives in Cuba and Venezuela. Although these policies pursue markedly different economic outcomes, both are implemented through the same sanctions framework.

Futuristic digital coin representing stable cryptocurrency and the GENIUS Act.

GENIUS Act and the Emerging Architecture of Digital Payments

By: James R. Holbein, Of Counsel, Braumiller Law Group and Justin Holbein, American Digital Assets Consulting LLC

The GENIUS Act has authorized several regulatory agencies to issue regulations to develop the first comprehensive federal regulatory framework governing payment stablecoins in the United States. The statute directs multiple federal financial regulators to implement a coordinated supervisory structure governing issuance, reserve management, redemption rights, anti-money laundering compliance, custody, and market structure.

Global digital network with the word ITAR in the center, representing international trade compliance.

ITAR and Brokering

By Bruce Leeds, Senior Counsel, Braumiller Law Group

For those working in the export/import trade the term “brokering” would normally mean something to do with customs brokers. However, brokering also comes up in a completely different context: Export controls. What?

BRICS Pay

By: Victoria Holmes, Braumiller Law Group

An announcement will take place next month at the 2026 New Delhi summit kicking off what some would consider the structural take off for BRICS and the beginning of the end for the U.S. dollar. What is that? BRICS Pay.

Person using laptop with digital security icons for legal e-filing.

CPSC’s New E-Filing Mandate: What Importers Need to Know

By: Kerry Wang, Senior Associate and
Francesca Jaubert, Law Clerk Braumiller Law Group

For over fifteen years, importers of regulated consumer products operated under a reactive compliance model: certificates of compliance were required at the time of import under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, but importers only had to produce them on CPSC’s request.

Magnifying glass over documents with 'Fraud Detected' message.

A New Era of Trade Fraud Enforcement

By: Adrienne Braumiller, Founder of Braumiller Law Group

The new DHS/DOJ Trade Fraud Resource Guide should resonate across the trade ecosystem, especially for importers, Customs brokers, and in-house counsel.
What makes the Guide so notable is not just the substance, but the framing. Trade fraud is no longer being discussed as a narrow customs issue or a technical filing problem. It is being presented as an economic security issue, a public safety issue, a supply chain integrity issue, and a forced labor issue. That shift has practical consequences for everyone involved in moving goods into the United States.

Iran and USA flags painted on fists facing each other.

The Iran War: A New Shock to Global Trade

By: James R. Holbein, Of Counsel, and Francesca Jaubert, Summer Law Clerk, Braumiller Law Group

The war with Iran is being fought with missiles, aircraft and naval forces, but some of its most consequential effects are disruptions impacting energy markets, international shipping, insurance, supply chains, and prices, while adding another layer of sanctions and tariff risk to international trade. The result is particularly significant because the Strait of Hormuz, at the center of the conflict, is one of the most important arteries in world commerce.

Legal and organizational icons on wooden blocks with world map background.

The Local in the Global: Legislation for an Exceptional Economy

By: Gavin Andersen, Associate Attorney, Braumiller Law Group

A municipal government’s use of emergency powers might seem inconsequential, but it contributes to many communities’ accumulation of debt, housing and commercial space that is affordable to hypothetical residents but not actual ones, surveillance cameras, empty offices and strip malls, and contractual commitments to data centers and private prisons – all without any meaningful public involvement.

Cargo ship navigating waterways with security icons and data flow.

Waterways, Canals, and Straits, and What Clear Passage Means to Global Trade Survival

By Bob Brewer, Braumiller Law Group

There are about 200 straits worldwide, but only 18–20 of them actually matter for global trade, and 9 are considered truly critical choke points. So, these are the straits/canals where closure would cause (and is currently causing) massive global economic shock: Strait of Malacca, Strait of Hormuz, Suez Canal, Panama Canal, Bab elMandeb, Strait of Gibraltar, Bosphorus Strait, Danish Straits, and of course, the ever-impending blockage of the Taiwan Strait.

Shaking hands with American and Canadian flags, symbolizing trade relations.

Trade Alert: Trump Administration Announces 50% Tariffs on Certain Canadian Products Effective August 19

By Bob Brewer, Braumiller Law Group

On July 20, 2026, President Donald Trump announced that his administration will impose additional 50% ad valorem duties on a range of Canadian products, effective 12:01 a.m. ET on August 19, 2026. The announcement came via three separate proclamations that claimed Canadian discrimination against U.S. commerce in dairy products, alcoholic beverages, and motor vehicles, respectively.

Businessman revealing a blue 'CTPAT' emblem like a superhero symbol.

The CTPAT Ultimatum: New EO Ties Entry Filing Privileges to CTPAT Validation Status

By: Judy Davis, Senior Trade Advisor, Braumiller Consulting Group

A sweeping new White House Executive Order is set to once again shake up global supply chains by requiring a historic overhaul of the U.S. Importer of Record (IOR) framework. It lays out raising penalty floors, and tightening disclosure rules for everyone bringing goods into the United States, among other things.

Customs Enforcement Overhaul: What Importers and Brokers Need to Do Now

By: Adrienne Braumiller, Founder of Braumiller Law Group and Anthony DiBello, Law Clerk

On June 3, 2026, President Trump issued Executive Order 14411, “Strengthening Customs Enforcement,” directing the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection to tighten importer eligibility, increase disclosure obligations, and expand enforcement measures across the U.S. import system.

Origin Engineering: How Substantial Transformation Can Reduce Your Tariff Exposure

By: Kerry Wang, Senior Associate, Braumiller Law Group

“Origin Engineering” refers to modifying the sourcing of essential product inputs or relocating key manufacturing processes from countries subject to higher tariff rates to jurisdictions with more favorable trade treatment. It is one of the most effective tools available to importers navigating elevated tariff exposure.

Contracts and Purchase Orders in Mexico – Their Role in Demonstrating Customs Compliance and the Substance of Foreign Trade Transactions

For: Brenda Cordova and Francisco de la Cruz Braumiller Law Group Mexico Legal Counsel

Mexico’s customs and foreign trade legal framework has evolved toward a stricter and more controlled compliance model.

A US Departure From the USMCA. Is That Even Worthy of Discussion?

By Bob Brewer, Braumiller Law Group

Yes, regarding this particular topic I am immediately surrounded by all of those external voices, even internal, telling me of how ridiculous it would be for the US to follow through and pull out of the USMCA. My response of course is noting that I probably wouldn’t have given the topic a second thought had the President of the United States not mentioned that this was a consideration regarding the upcoming July 2026 USMCA review.