International Trade

A collaborative practice for an interconnected economy

Ongoing supply chain disruptions, geopolitical struggles, and increased scrutiny on issues such as forced labor and environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards have underscored the interconnectedness of the global economy and its impact on businesses large and small. Moreover, more international trade policies are being issued, by more authorities, with broader commercial consequences, and on a faster timeline than ever before.

Crowell’s International Trade Group has 50+ lawyers and trade professionals dedicated to helping clients understand the rapidly changing law and providing actionable guidance that appreciates the direct and indirect impact on all aspects of a company’s operations. Our team works across legal disciplines to provide coordinated, strategy-driven solutions that address our clients’ most complex, pressing concerns while identifying and achieving specific business goals.

Ranked among the top international trade practices by Chambers and Law360, we advise clients in the following areas:

• Customs, including valuation, classification and origin, drawback, free trade zones, United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), other free-trade agreements, tariff preference programs, duty recovery, audits, internal investigations, security and compliance programs, seizures, and penalty actions;
• Trade remedies, such as antidumping, countervailing duties and subsidies, and issues arising under Sections 201 and 301 of the Trade Act, Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, and other legislation and international agreements;
• National security, including export controls, sanctions and embargoes, antiboycott actions, anti-money laundering laws and regulations, compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and related legislation, counseling and representing parties before the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), Export Administration Regulations (EAR), International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and more; and
• Global mobility and the movement of people, including market expansion and re-shoring, compliance and investigations, outsourcing and offshoring, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, foreign labor and employment, remote working, compliance with trade agreements, and business formation and structuring.
• Human rights and forced labor, including compliance with Section 307 of the Tariff Act, the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, and EU and UK supply chain regulations, modification and revocation of Withhold Release Orders (WROs), release of detentions, forced labor and supply chain audits, forced labor compliance programs, and counseling in relation to suppliers and other third parties.

End-to-end service at every step — and across jurisdictions and industries

From our offices in key capitals and commercial centers — including Brussels, Doha, London, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Shanghai, and Washington, D.C. — and in collaboration with C&M International, the firm’s global government relations, public policy and public affairs affiliate, we have represented the interests of clients before national governments and international trade agencies throughout North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. If administrative or political solutions are not possible, clients benefit from our significant litigation experience in the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT), U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, EU Court of Justice, and other national and international courts.

Our lawyers and trade professionals leverage experience from government, industry and in-house roles to provide comprehensive and practical advice to companies in a wide array of industries, including: