Insights on International Trade & Investment

Welcome to the July 2026 issue of “As the (Customs and Trade) World Turns,” our monthly newsletter where we compile essential updates from the customs and trade world over the past month. We bring you the most recent and significant insights in an accessible format, concluding with our main takeaways — aka “And the Fox Says…” — on what you need to know.

On July 20, President Trump issued a proclamation imposing an additional 50% ad valorem duty on Canadian-origin alcoholic beverages imported into the United States, effective 12:01 AM ET, August 19. The action is a direct, sector-matched response to Canada’s provincial bans on the purchase, distribution, and retailing of US alcoholic beverages, which have been in effect across virtually all provinces and territories since March 2025.

International Trade Partner James Kim was quoted on President Trump’s pivot to Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 as a means to impose tariffs of up to 50% on Canadian imports.

On June 18, the US Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), announced the release of one new General Authorization (GA) and one amended GA related to the January 16, 2025, “Securing the Information and Communications Technology and Services Supply Chain: Connected Vehicles” Rule (the Connected Vehicles Rule).

On July 14, the US Department of Justice (DOJ), together with the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), held a major news conference in Chicago, Illinois, announcing that the Trade Fraud Task Force has surpassed $1 billion in criminal and civil recoveries, penalties, forfeitures, and charged losses in less than one year since its launch.

Join International Trade & Investment Counsel Katie Gustafson for a virtual discussion examining the pharmaceutical industry’s evolving tariff landscape, including Section 232 investigations, proposed 100% tariffs, complex multi-tiered rate structures, and key exemption considerations.

Join International Trade & Investment Partner James Kim for a virtual event on Supply Chain Outlook - Trends and Risks to Watch in 2026.

In this episode of Five Questions, Five Answers, Birgit Matthiesen, David Hamill, James Kim, and Antonio J. Rivera break down the June 3, executive order, Strengthening Customs Enforcement — not a tariff, but potentially one of the year’s most consequential trade actions for US importers. 

San Francisco Customs & Import Compliance Partner James Kim was quoted on the United States blocking automatic renewal of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and the subsequent negotiations among countries.

Welcome to the June 2026 issue of “As the (Customs and Trade) World Turns,” our monthly newsletter where we compile essential updates from the customs and trade world over the past month. We bring you the most recent and significant insights in an accessible format, concluding with our main takeaways — aka “And the Fox Says…” — on what you need to know.

Making good on promises to lift US sanctions on Iranian oil, a new license lifts virtually all sanctions restrictions for two months on the production, sale, delivery, or offloading of Iranian crude oil, petroleum products, and petrochemical products.

Making good on promises to lift US sanctions on Iranian oil, a new license lifts virtually all sanctions restrictions for two months on the production, sale, delivery, or offloading of Iranian crude oil, petroleum products, and petrochemical products.

Join International Trade & Investment Partner James Kim and Director of North American Manufacturing Birgit Matthiesen for a webinar hosted by Electric Mobility Canada.

ArentFox Schiff is pleased to announce that 23 practices and 81 attorneys have been recognized by The Legal 500 United States 2026 guide.

International Trade & Investment Associate Maya Cohen will speak on changes to US export controls on June 17, 2026.

Join ArentFox Schiff Customs & Import Compliance Leader Angela Santos for a panel at PV ModuleTech’s upcoming conference.

US alcohol importers, and alcohol suppliers that rely on imported ingredients or raw materials to produce their products, have been on a rollercoaster during President Trump’s second term trying to keep up with the Administration’s tariff policy.

Canada Legal Practice Leader Riyaz Dattu will present on a chapter of a new multi-author volume on taxation and investment arbitration on June 10, 2026.

Partner James Kim was quoted on the uncertain future of the Trump Administration’s attempt to avoid paying back billions in illegally collected tariffs.

On June 3, President Trump signed an executive order (EO) titled “Strengthening Customs Enforcement” that does not impose a single new tariff yet may prove to be one of the most consequential trade actions of the year for importers.

ArentFox Schiff is pleased to announce that 68 attorneys were recognized as leaders in their field and 25 practices spanning the firm’s litigation, regulatory, and transactional capabilities, as well as key industries, were ranked among the best in the country in the 2026 edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business.

The tariff rollercoaster continues! Late in the evening on June 2, the US Trade Representative (USTR) issued its much anticipated notice of determinations in its Section 301 investigation concerning the failure of various economies to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labor.

International Trade & Investment Partner Jessica DiPietro will participate in a fireside chat discussing the evolving role of Section 232 as a key tariff tool on June 2, 2026.

Partner James Kim was quoted on how the most recent filing from the US Department of Justice flagging its intention to appeal the judge’s order requiring tariff refunds for all eligible importers is causing additional uncertainty in an already precarious process.

One week after the US House of Representatives passed a Farm Bill that expressly integrates food security into national security, Congressman John Moolenaar, Chairman of the Select Committee on China, and 13 bipartisan cosponsors introduced a standalone bill that would take significant additional steps aimed at safeguarding US national security and food security.