Trade Compliance

Oil & Gas M&A Activity Influenced by Market Volatility

This article discusses how macroeconomic turbulence and volatile commodity markets influenced oil and gas M&A activity in 2025. It notes a shift towards opportunistic transactions and the increasing role of private equity and activist investors, with AI demand also driving deal activity.

FAR Council Proposes Rule to Ban Semiconductor Acquisition from China

The FAR Council has proposed a rule to implement a statutory prohibition on the federal acquisition of semiconductors manufactured by China and other countries of concern. The rule, stemming from the FY2023 NDAA, includes a proposed disclosure requirement for non-federal sales and seeks public comments.

USITC Institutes Section 337 Investigation of Laptops, Routers, Gateways

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has instituted a Section 337 investigation into alleged patent infringement by certain laptops, routers, gateways, and components imported into the U.S. The investigation names ASUSTeK Computer Inc., ASUS Computer International, Inc., TP-Link Systems Inc., D-Link Corporation, D-Link Systems, Inc., and Ubiquiti Inc. as respondents.

USITC Affirms Wind Tower Trade Cases from Four Countries

The USITC has affirmed existing antidumping and countervailing duty orders on utility scale wind towers from Canada, Indonesia, South Korea, and Vietnam. This decision means the current trade remedy orders will remain in place, continuing to affect imports of these products into the United States.

USTR Releases 2025 Review of Notorious Markets

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has released its 2025 Review of Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy. The report identifies 37 online and 32 physical markets that engage in trademark counterfeiting or copyright piracy, highlighting trends and challenges in intellectual property theft.

Commerce Final Affirmative Determination on Steel Bar from Algeria

The U.S. Department of Commerce has made a final affirmative determination in the antidumping duty investigation of steel concrete reinforcing bar from Algeria. The weighted-average dumping margin for Tosyali Iron Steel Industry Algeria SPA and all-others is 127.32%. The International Trade Commission will make a concurrent injury determination.

Commerce: L-lysine from China Antidumping Duty Investigation Preliminary Determination

The U.S. Department of Commerce has made a preliminary affirmative determination in the antidumping duty investigation of L-lysine from China. The investigation found weighted-average dumping margins ranging from 41.22% to 72.18% for various Chinese producers and exporters.

OFAC Sanctions Rwanda's Military and Four Officials

On March 2, 2026, OFAC sanctioned Rwanda's Defence Force (RDF) and four senior officials for supporting the M23 armed group in the DRC. This action blocks their assets in the U.S. and prohibits transactions with U.S. persons. A general license allows for winding down existing dealings until April 1, 2026.

USITC Institutes Patent Infringement Investigation 337-TA-1488

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has instituted an investigation into alleged patent infringement of certain gyro-stabilized electric unicycles and components. The investigation, based on a complaint by Inventist, Inc. and Alien Technology Group, Inc., names several Chinese manufacturers as respondents.

Op-Ed: US Agriculture Trade Policy Under Trump Administration

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative published an op-ed detailing the Trump Administration's trade policy approach to support American farmers and food producers. The article outlines a two-fold strategy focused on negotiating trade deals and addressing foreign tariff regimes to ensure a level playing field for U.S. agriculture exports.