Sanctions Ordinance Against Taliban-Associated Individuals and Groups
Switzerland has updated its sanctions ordinance against individuals and groups associated with the Taliban, following amendments by the UN sanctions committee. The SESAM database has been updated, and formal corrections were made to existing entries.
Commerce Preliminary Antidumping Duty Findings on Steel Concrete Reinforcing Bar
The U.S. Department of Commerce announced preliminary affirmative antidumping duty findings on steel concrete reinforcing bar from Bulgaria, Egypt, and Vietnam. The preliminary dumping margins range from 34.20% to 121.97% for specific companies and entities. The final determination is expected around July 28, 2026.
Data Brokers Face New Compliance Rules from CalPrivacy and FTC
California and the FTC are implementing new compliance rules for data brokers. California's Delete Request and Opt-out Platform (DROP) mechanism is now active, with data deletion requirements starting August 1, 2026. The FTC has also issued warnings regarding the Protecting Americans' Data from Foreign Adversaries Act (PADFAA).
CNIPA Stops Notifying Local Agents for Madrid Designations
The Chinese National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) has ceased notifying local Chinese trademark agents for international trademarks designating China via the Madrid System. CNIPA now only serves the WIPO-recorded representative or the trademark holder directly, requiring proactive monitoring by rights holders and their representatives to avoid missing response deadlines.
Court of International Trade Pauses IEEPA Refunds
The U.S. Court of International Trade has paused the immediate refund of duties imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) while leaving the underlying obligation to refund intact. This decision acknowledges practical limitations faced by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in processing an estimated $166 billion in refunds for over 330,000 importers.
DOJ Trade Fraud Task Force Revisits FDCA Charges
The DOJ's Trade Fraud Task Force, established six months ago, has announced its leading prosecutorial partner, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois. This move signals an increased focus on enforcing the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) in trade fraud cases, building on past successful prosecutions involving honey import schemes.
Iran War Impacts Global Construction Supply Chains
This notice analyzes the global impact of the 2026 Iran War on construction supply chains. The conflict has disrupted critical shipping routes, leading to increased transportation and production costs, delays, and potential surcharges for materials like cement, steel, and aluminum. The analysis highlights the cascading effects on construction projects worldwide.
CIT Suspends IEEPA Duty Refund Order for CBP ACE Functionality
The U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) has suspended its order requiring immediate refunds of IEEPA duties. This suspension allows U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) time to develop new Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) functionality to process these refunds, estimated to be implemented in 45 days. Importers are advised to complete electronic refund setup and consider filing protests.
Italian SMEs Bill Expands Inventory Financing Securitizations
The Italian Senate approved an annual SMEs Bill on March 4, 2026, amending Law 130 to expand structuring options for inventory financing securitizations. The changes allow for foreign originators and multijurisdiction asset pools, enhancing Italy's position in the international ABS market.
Court Orders Removal of IEEPA Tariffs on U.S. Imports
The U.S. Court of International Trade has ordered the government to remove International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs on U.S. imports, following a Supreme Court decision. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) indicated it could begin issuing refunds within 45 days, though importers are advised to monitor liquidation entries and file protests.
Section 122 Tariffs Challenged in U.S. Court of International Trade
24 states have filed a lawsuit in the U.S. Court of International Trade challenging the Section 122 tariffs imposed by President Trump on February 20, 2026. The states argue the conditions for invoking Section 122 were not met and the tariffs exceed the statute's scope. This case is expected to be expedited.
EU Ambassadors Conference Speech by President António Costa
President António Costa delivered a speech at the EU Ambassadors Conference on March 10, 2026, emphasizing the importance of a unified EU foreign policy in a multipolar world. He highlighted the need to defend the rules-based international order and address global challenges, including conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.