Secretary Rubio revokes green cards of Iranian-linked foreign nationals
Secretary of State Marco Rubio revoked lawful permanent resident (LPR) status for Iranian-linked foreign nationals, including Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter (niece and grand niece of Qasem Soleimani), who were arrested and detained by ICE. Fatemeh Ardeshir-Larijani (daughter of former Iranian official Ali Larijani) and her husband were also stripped of status and barred from entry.
Flower Garden Banks Marine Sanctuary Management Plan Review
NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries has issued a consultation notice initiating a review of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary management plan under the National Marine Sanctuaries Act. The agency is requesting public input on scope, types, and significance of issues to address in the plan revision. Comments are due by 11:59 p.m. EDT on May 21, 2026.
Magnuson-Stevens Act Changes Expand Commercial Fishing in Atlantic
NMFS issued a final rule rescinding 50 CFR 600.725(x), which prohibited commercial fishing within the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument. This action conforms U.S. fishing regulations with the February 6, 2026 Presidential Proclamation 'Unleashing Commercial Fishing in the Atlantic.' Commercial fishing operations may now resume within the Monument's boundaries.
Secretary Rubio marks Senegal Independence Day
Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a press statement on April 4, 2026, congratulating Senegal on its 66th Independence Day. The statement reaffirms the strong and lasting relationship between the United States and Senegal, emphasizing shared commercial and security interests.
Section 301 Tariff Investigations Expand, Targeting 16 Economies, Forced Labor
USTR initiated two sweeping Section 301 investigations in March 2026: one examining structural excess capacity across 16 major economies including China, EU, Japan, India, and Mexico; and another addressing forced labor import prohibitions across approximately 60 trading partners. These investigations follow the Supreme Court's invalidation of IEEPA tariffs and represent a more durable legal pathway to reimpose and expand tariff measures. Tariffs could take effect as early as mid-2026.
Certain Ink Cartridges and Components Thereof II; Notice of Request for Submissions on the Public Interest
The U.S. International Trade Commission issued a notice requesting public interest submissions in Investigation No. 337-TA-1452 concerning certain ink cartridges. The request follows an ALJ's Summary Determination on violation and Recommended Determination on remedy and bonding. Comments should address whether recommended remedial orders would affect public health, competitive conditions, and U.S. consumers.
Sodium Nitrite from India Countervailing Duty Review Correction
The International Trade Administration issued a correction notice to the February 24, 2026 final results of the countervailing duty administrative review on sodium nitrite from India (2022-2023). The correction adds an inadvertently omitted partial rescission for three companies: Kutch Chemical Industries, Palvi Industries Limited, and Lotus Global Pvt. Ltd., all of which had no reviewable entries during the period of review.
FTZ 21 Production Activity - Turbocam Turbine Components
The Foreign-Trade Zones Board published notice 91 FR 17245 requesting public comment on Turbocam Inc.'s proposed production activity at FTZ 21 in Ladson, South Carolina. The company seeks authority to manufacture turbine system components under the FTZ program. The Board invites public comments on the proposed activity.
Supreme Court IEEPA Ruling on Presidential Tariff Authority
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not authorize the President to impose tariffs, holding that tariffs constitute taxation reserved for Congress under Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution. The decision in Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump applies the major questions doctrine, requiring clear congressional authorization for executive actions with vast economic significance exceeding $150 billion in tariff revenue.
Trump raises Section 232 tariffs to 50%, UK rates 25%
Trump raises Section 232 tariffs to 50%, UK rates 25%
DOJ NSD Enhances Voluntary Disclosure for Export, Sanctions
The Department of Justice's National Security Division issued guidance on March 30, 2026, extending its Unified Corporate Enforcement Policy to national security violations involving export controls, sanctions, and related matters under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The policy establishes a clear pathway for companies to receive cooperation credit through voluntary self-disclosure, full cooperation, and remediation. DOJ signals increased enforcement activity in this space.
UK-EU SPS Agreement Creates Dynamic Alignment Zone for Food Trade
The UK Government released its first substantive update on the new UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement on April 3, 2026. The proposed framework would create a shared SPS zone to streamline food, feed, animals, and plant trade between Great Britain and the EU/Northern Ireland. The UK would dynamically align with EU SPS legislation from mid-2027, meaning products meeting only current UK standards would no longer be compliant where divergence has occurred.
UK Steel Import Quota Cuts and Tariff Measures
UK Government published its Steel Strategy on March 19, 2026, effective July 1, 2026, cutting steel import quotas by 60% and imposing 50% tariffs on above-quota imports. The current 25% above-quota tariff regime expires June 30, 2026. UK National Wealth Fund to invest £2.5 billion in domestic steel industry.
OCTG Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Petition Against Austria, Taiwan, UAE
On April 2, 2026, the U.S. OCTG Manufacturers Association, U.S. Steel Corporation, and United Steelworkers union (USW) filed petitions with the U.S. Department of Commerce requesting antidumping duties on OCTG from Austria, Taiwan, and UAE, and countervailing duties on OCTG from Austria. The petitions allege foreign producers are selling oil country tubular goods below fair value, potentially subjecting affected imports to duties.
Amendment of CIT Order on IEEPA Tariff Refunds
The Court of International Trade further amended its March 4 Order in AGS Co. Auto. Sols. v. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Case No. 25-154) to include reliquidation without IEEPA duties for entries where liquidation has become final. Separately, CBP stated that Phase 1 of its CAPE refund platform will only process unliquidated entries or those within the 90-day voluntary reliquidation period, with finally liquidated entries addressed in a subsequent phase.
OFAC Advisory on Sham Transactions and Sanctions Evasion
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued an advisory on March 31, 2026, clarifying that sham transactions do not terminate a blocked person's property interest under US sanctions regulations. The Advisory describes how blocked persons use trusts, proxies, straw owners, front businesses, and other intermediaries to conceal continuing interests in blocked property. OFAC identified red flags including commercially unreasonable transfers, transfers to family members or close associates, and unduly complex corporate structures involving high-risk jurisdictions.
IEEPA Refund Process and Section 232 Metal Content Calculations
The U.S. Court of International Trade issued amended orders in Atmus Filtration v. US directing CBP to issue refunds for all IEEPA duties paid—including tariffs on Brazil, India, fentanyl-related tariffs, and reciprocal tariffs—even for finally liquidated entries. CBP is developing the CAPE system to process refunds, with Phase 1 of ACE functionality expected mid-to-late April. Separately, CBP's Base Metals Center issued guidance on Section 232 dutiable metal content calculations.
General Licence for Insurance Payments under UK Sanctions Regimes
OFSI issued General Licence INT/2022/2009156 permitting designated persons under UK Autonomous Sanctions Regimes to make insurance payments to UK insurers and brokers for building, engineering, terrorism, property liability, and claims preparation insurance. UK insurers may make claim payments and refunds to UK Designated Persons. The licence was amended on 15 December 2023 to add motor insurance, include insurance brokers, expand the UK DP definition to include owned/controlled entities, and permit persons acting on behalf of UK DPs to make permitted payments.
Bond Restructuring Licence for Non-Designated Persons
OFSI issued General Licence INT/2023/2824812 permitting bond restructurings and amendments where Designated Persons hold bonds, provided no funds reach designated parties and any frozen assets remain blocked. UK issuers and Relevant Institutions may process qualifying bond transactions under this licence, subject to reporting requirements to HM Treasury within 14 days of completion.
OFSI General Licence - Russia Sanctions Bond Restructuring
OFSI issued General Licence INT/2023/2824812 under the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 to permit bond restructuring and amendments for non-Designated Persons. The licence allows Issuers and UK Persons to effect bond restructurings provided no funds reach Designated Persons and any amounts owed to sanctioned parties remain frozen. The licence was extended on 28 March 2025.
General Licence Permitting Utility Payments by UK Designated Persons
OFSI issued General Licence INT/2022/2300292 permitting UK Designated Persons (sanctioned individuals and entities) to make utility payments for gas and electricity from frozen UK bank accounts. The licence also allows Energy Companies to receive such payments and process return payments to frozen accounts, subject to quarterly reporting requirements to HM Treasury.
General Licence allowing sanctioned UK persons to pay utility bills
OFSI published notice regarding General Licence INT/2022/2300292 allowing UK designated persons subject to asset freezes to make permitted utility payments for gas and electricity from frozen UK bank accounts. The General Licence, originally issued November 2022, has been amended multiple times to expand permissions, most recently February 2024 to include additional permitted payment categories for gas and electricity meters.
UK Sanctions Insurance Payments General Licence
OFSI issued General Licence INT/2022/2009156 permitting specific insurance-related payments that would otherwise breach UK Autonomous Sanctions Regulations. The licence authorises UK insurers, insurance brokers, and regulated financial institutions to process premiums, claims, and refunds involving designated persons for specified insurance products covering UK properties and motor vehicles.
OFAC Document Submission Standards for Sanctions Compliance
OFAC issued Production Submission Standards providing best practices for submitting documents during sanctions investigations. The guidance covers organizing submissions, electronic document conventions, file structure, Bates numbering, and technical specifications for files over and under 150 megabytes. These standards apply primarily to administrative subpoena responses, requests for information, and disclosures containing voluminous documentation.
Steel Concrete Reinforcing Bar from Algeria Injury Determination
The USITC determined that the U.S. steel concrete reinforcing bar industry is materially injured by reason of imports from Algeria sold at less than fair value. Chair Amy A. Karpel and Commissioners Jason E. Kearns and David S. Johanson voted affirmatively. As a result, the Department of Commerce will issue an antidumping duty order on these imports.
L-Lysine from China Final Phase Countervailing Duty Investigation
The U.S. International Trade Commission has scheduled the final phase of antidumping and countervailing duty investigations (Nos. 701-TA-767 and 731-TA-1750) on animal feed-grade L-lysine from China. Commerce previously preliminarily determined the imports are subsidized and sold at less-than-fair-value. The final phase will determine whether the domestic industry is materially injured or threatened with material injury by these imports.
Active Anode Material from China - Final Determinations
The US International Trade Commission issued final determinations in investigations nos. 701-TA-752 and 731-TA-1730 finding that the establishment of a US industry producing active anode material is not materially retarded by reason of subsidized and LTFV imports from China. The investigations covered active anode material classified under HTS subheadings 2504.10.10, 2504.10.50, 3801.10.50, and 3801.90.00.