Although IBC Counsellors have been teleworking since mid-March 2020, our clients have been keeping us busy on a variety of issues.  Below are just a few of the ones that we’ve worked on so far this year.

 Trade Issues

Section 301 – Applications for the Extension of Product-Specific Exclusions from China Tariffs

GSP – Advised on the Renewal of the Duty-Free Tariff Preferences Beyond December 31, 2020 Expiration and Provided Client Strategic Advice on Adding a Product to the Duty-Free Program.

Airbus Tariffs – Prepared Product-Specific  Comments and Petitions Regarding the Rotation of the U.S. Retaliation List in Airbus Subsidies WTO Dispute

U.S.-UK Trade Agreement  — Prepared Resolution for Advisory  Committee on U.S.-UK Trade Agreement Proposed Text.

Mexico – Advised on Response to Regulatory Developments Affecting Sales and U.S. Exports

MTBs – Tracked Petitions to Temporarily Suspend or Reduce U.S. Duties for Imports

WTO – Monitored the Campaign For a New Director-General and Debates Over WTO Reform, Including the Dispute Settlement Process and Non-Market Economy Status

 Export Administration/Compliance

Country Reports – Analyzed and Reported on Changes to U.S. Export Control Regulations by Targeted Country

Sanctions – Advised on OFAC and State Department Sanctions Compliance

Emerging Technology Restrictions – Advised on Upcoming Regulations to Restrict the Export of Certain Technologies

COVID-19 Pandemic

Country Responses — Tracked the Economic Stimulus Plans Implemented by Clients’ Countries of Interest, Including the U.S.

Canada – Analyzed Federal and Provincial Regulations of Critical Industries and U.S.-Canada Customs Issues at the Border

Mexico – Reported on Customs Issues on the U,.S.-Mexico Border

 Congress

Stimulus Packages – Analyzed Stimulus Package Sectoral Impacts and Advised on Methods to Apply for Loans Drawing on Analysis of Implementing Regulations

Trade Advocacy – Sought Support For Tariff Exclusions for Specific Products Relating to Section 301 and Airbus Tariffs and Advocated for Renewal of GSP and MTB

Sanctions – Analyzed Proposed Sanctions in Various Bills,  Including in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)

Critical Minerals – Reported on Legislation to Promote Critical Mineral Development in the United States

 Investment

CFIUS – Analyzed Developments Including Implementation of the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act of 2018 (FIRRMA)

Critical Minerals – Analyzed U.S. Federal Strategy and  U.S.–Canada Cooperation on Investments To Enhance  Joint Supply Chains

Risk – Monitored and analyzed political and operational risks in Countries and Regions of Interest to Multinational Investors

 International Organizations (IOs)

International Financial Institutions (IFIs) — Analyzed and Reported On IMF and World Bank Programs To Support Countries During the COVID-19 Pandemic

OECD – Assessed Brazil’s  Prospects For Becoming a Member

United Nations and Its Specialized Agencies – Tracked and Reported on UN Security Council, General Assembly and ECOSOC Actions and Schedules, Including the 2030 SDG Agenda, as well as Developments Impacting Business at the WHO, ILO, UNCTAD, WIPO and Other Agencies

 Visas – Analyzed Pandemic-Related Travel Restrictions;  Advocated for Clients on Specific Visa Issues

 Virtual Meetings – Held on a regular basis to discuss international trade, political, security, energy and health issues.