The White House Proposes New Port Fees on Chinese Shipping and Mandates U.S. Vessel Utilization
Since taking the White House, President Trump has escalated the already tense trade tensions between the United States and China. New tariffs and other economic measures are in various stages of implementation and are intended to address perceived trade imbalances and unfair government subsidies aimed at stifling U.S. industry. One of the latest developments in this ongoing trade war is a new proposal by the Trump administration to impose significant port fees on Chinese cargo ships landing in U.S. ports…
The Trump Administration’s America First Trade Policy
On January 20,2025, President Trump’s new Administration issued a memorandum (“Memorandum”) that lays out certain directives and goals for U.S. foreign trade. The Memorandum states that the Administration intends to establish “a robust and reinvigorated trade policy that promotes investment and productivity, enhances our Nation’s industrial and technological advantages, defends our economic and national security, and — above all — benefits American workers, manufacturers, farmers, ranchers, entrepreneurs, and businesses.”
Lessons from Enforcement Actions
In our effort to keep the international trade community aware of red-flags for trade violations, below please find a summary of recent enforcement actions by the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”). These cases exemplify the risks of cross-border trade and hopefully add to your awareness of the “tricks of the Trade.”
