Insights

Washington – December 6, 2019: The U.S. Court of International Trade has granted a preliminary injunction prohibiting the federal government, including U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Acting Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection Mark Morgan, from implementing the withdrawal of a tariff exclusion for bifacial solar panels without due process. The government’s withdrawal comes only months after the tariff exclusion had been put in place following an extensive notice-and-comment process.

As COVID-19 cases surge across much of the country, many courts are altering or postponing their reopening plans. Additionally, some courts that are reopening now face challenges from attorneys, staff, and litigants concerned about in-person court proceedings.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced over the weekend that to combat the spread of the Coronavirus, all flights departing after 5 pm EST on February 2, 2020 from China, and all passengers traveling from China will be routed through one of 11 U.S. airports where they will be required to make first entry and be screened:

On June 27, in accordance with President Trump’s May 8, 2018 decision to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) revoked two Iran-related General Licenses and amended the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (ITSR), 31 C.F.R. part 560, to reflect the re-imposition of sanctions. OFAC also updated previously issued Frequently Asked Questions on the President’s announcement. These actions represent the first tangible steps taken by the U.S. government to implement the May 8 announcement to end some limited primary sanctions exceptions and re-impose secondary sanctions on Iran.