Vidal inmate appeal Second Circuit April

Vidal inmate appeal Second Circuit April

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.

Trump raises Section 232 tariffs to 50%, UK rates 25%

Trump raises Section 232 tariffs to 50%, UK rates 25%

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.

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.

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.

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.