News & Publications - Braumiller Law Group

Goodbye USA – Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s MiddlePowers Playbook is Officially in Play, Part 2

By Bob Brewer, Braumiller Law Group

One of my recently published articles covered the World Economic Forum Davos speech by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, where he summoned the middle powers of the earth to unite against the US forces who are demanding that they take a knee and capitulate, per Governor Newsom who was in attendance handing out knee pads. (Really) Well, to say the least, that’s not happening by even the longest stretch of anyone’s imagination.

Keeping the Chain Secure: A Deep Dive into the Latest CTPAT Investigation

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

The global supply chain is the backbone of the U.S. economy, moving millions of tons of cargo daily. To keep things running smoothly and safely, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) place a significant reliance on the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT). This voluntary program trades “gold star” benefits—like fewer inspections, business resumption priority, and faster border crossings—for a company’s commitment to high-level security. 

Monitoring the Hormuz Strait and the Subsequent Trade Volatility

By: Victoria Holmes, Braumiller Law Group

On March 9th, 2026, maritime tracking data showed just one outbound vessel, bearing an Iranian flag, transiting the Strait of Hormuz, with no inbound movements recorded at all. This lone vessel signifies a global conflict in a very important region around global trade.

CBP Statute of Limitations Waivers – Overview of Issues and Operation

By Paul Fudacz, Partner, Braumiller Law Group

Many trade practitioners that have had experience with a CBP prior disclosure or penalty action have encountered a request by CBP to execute a Statute of Limitations (SOL) waiver. These are usually accompanied by a request for the importer to provide a corporate resolution or the equivalent evidencing the authority of the SOL waiver signatory to sign the waiver on behalf of the importer / company.

Mexico’s 2026 Tax Regularization Program – Don’t Miss This Opportunity

By Francisco de la Cruz, Braumiller Law Group Mexico Legal Counsel

Mexico’s Tax Administration Service (SAT) launched the 2026 Fiscal Regularization Program on January 22, offering businesses a strategic opportunity to resolve outstanding tax obligations with unprecedented penalty relief.

Contratos Celebrados por Importadores Mexicanos (Su Relevancia en la Materialidad de las Operaciones Aduaneras y de Comercio Exterior)

For: Brenda Cordova Braumiller Law Group Mexico Legal Counsel

El marco jurídico mexicano en materia aduanera y de comercio exterior ha evolucionado hacia un modelo de cumplimiento más estricto y controlado. Las autoridades ya no solo exigen que los importadores identifiquen cual es la mercancía objeto de la importación, sino también que acrediten bajo que términos y condiciones se realiza la operación de comercio exterior.

Contracts Executed by Mexican Importers (Their Relevance to the Substantiation of Customs and Foreign Trade Operations)

By: Brenda Cordova Braumiller Law Group Mexico Legal Counsel

The Mexican legal framework governing customs and foreign trade has evolved toward a stricter and more controlled compliance model. Authorities no longer require importers merely to identify the goods being imported; they now also require proof of the terms and conditions under which the foreign trade transaction is conducted.

USMCA: Negotiation Preparations

By: Adrienne Braumiller, Founder of Braumiller Law Group

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is a trilateral free trade agreement that went into effect on July 1, 2020, as a replacement for its predecessor, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The three involved governments are preparing to initiate the first formal joint review in July 2026 as part of the sixth anniversary of the agreement entering into effect.

IEEPA Litigation – Should you be Involved?

By: Brandon French, Senior Associate, Braumiller Law Group

Hundreds of importers have rushed to file lawsuits challenging tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) as they await a Supreme Court ruling on the statute’s overall legality.

Uncertainty Surrounding the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Tax and Customs / Foreign Trade Compliance

By: Brenda Cordova Braumiller Law Group Mexico Legal Counsel

AI is now deeply embedded in the internet and social media, producing everything from humorous content and realistic simulations to advanced automation. These capabilities have expanded beyond entertainment and productivity, reaching into areas of public administration and government oversight. This raises a critical question: if AI is transforming nearly every sector, how will it reshape tax and customs compliance, and how will it be regulated?

Contracts Executed Between Mexican Companies and Foreigners – The New Mexican Customs Requirements

By: Brenda Cordova Braumiller Law Group Mexico Legal Counsel

Mexico’s customs and foreign trade legal framework has evolved into a substance-based compliance model. Authorities now expect importers to demonstrate not only what was imported, but also why, under what legal relationship, and under what economic terms the transaction took place.

Advisory Opinions From DDTC – What Are They?

By Bruce Leeds, Senior Counsel, Braumiller Law Group

The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) that administers and enforces the ITAR also issues Advisory Opinions (AO). What the heck is an AO? If you come from a Customs compliance background you know about Customs rulings and may have applied for some. An AO is sort of like a Customs ruling in that it is a written interpretation of the regulations.

Mexico’s Electronic Value Manifest (Manifestación de Valor Electrónica or MVE)

By Francisco de la Cruz, Braumiller Law Group Mexico Legal Counsel

The MVE, which will be enforceable as of April 1, 2026, is a digital document integrated into Mexico’s Single Window for Foreign Trade (VUCEM – Ventanilla Única de Comercio Exterior) through which importers must declare the customs value of goods entering Mexico.

Integrating DAOs and DUNAs with Stablecoin Ecosystems

By: James R. Holbein, Of Counsel, Braumiller Law Group and Justin Holbein Web3 Developer

We have analyzed Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) and how the GENIUS Act will permit regulation of payment stablecoins in prior articles. This article examines how decentralized organizations interact with stablecoin ecosystems and the synergies between organizational and payment infrastructure innovation.

Renewal of Haiti HOPE/HELP and AGOA Trade Preferences Up to Senate

By: James R. Holbein, Of Counsel, Braumiller Law Group

In its usual fashion, Congress has allowed the tariff preferences for Haiti under the United States-Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA) and the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) to expire on September 30, 2025. Two bills passed the House with bipartisan majorities on January 12, 2026, to renew the tariff preferences retroactively to the date of expiration and then extend them to September 30, 2028. Both bills are now in the Senate Finance Committee awaiting action. This article examines the current status and likely outcomes of Senate review.