The results from the midterm elections have changed the political landscape of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. While some individual races remain to be called, the power shift in Congress has been confirmed: Democrats will take control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The next Congress, and the way it interacts with the Trump Administration on trade issues, will create new challenges and demand fresh strategies for companies. We share…
The European Union’s recent proposal to make Canada its first associate member has sparked discussion about what a closer relationship between the two economies could look like and what it could mean for businesses operating across borders. While there is no established framework for EU associate membership, the proposal signals a shared interest in strengthening economic and strategic ties. In our view, the commercial implications of any future arrangement will ultimately drive its development, making…
Join us for the 47th Year-End Review of Global Trade Developments Conference, a three-day webinar series featuring five substantive sessions led by our international trade lawyers from around the world. Topics will include sanctions, export controls, customs and imports compliance, enforcement trends, and key global and regional trade developments. Please visit our event page for more information and to register.
Join us in Mountain View, California on Thursday, November 12, for an exclusive in-person forum on Trade Strategy in a Fragmented World. The event will kick off with a fireside chat featuring Peter Harrell (Visiting Scholar Georgetown Law, former White House Senior Director for International Economics and Competitiveness, Contributing Editor, Lawfare), who will share insights on making sense of economic statecraft, the weaponization of tariffs, sanctions, and export controls, and adapting to the proliferation of…
President Trump signed the much-anticipated Russia (and Iran) sanctions bill into law on Friday, September 18, 2026. The final text of H.R. 5334 is available here. In Brief It has been a long journey since Senator Lindsey Graham introduced an earlier version of the bill in the Senate in April 2025. After Senator Graham passed away in July, a new Russia sanctions bill was introduced bearing his name, the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and…
In brief The South African government has implemented a substantial increase in customs duties on specified peanut butter tariff lines, raising the general rate from 0.99 cents per kilogram to 20% ad valorem. The decision follows an ITAC investigation which concluded that domestic peanut butter producers were experiencing declining production, reduced sales volumes, increased competition from lower-priced imports, and rising operational costs. While duty-free treatment remains available for imports from certain jurisdictions, including the European…
Key benefits of the UK-India Free Trade Agreement Following negotiations which began in 2022, the UK-India Free Trade Agreement, formally known as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) entered into force on 15 July 2026. CETA constitutes one of the UK’s most significant trade agreements since Brexit took effect and signifying improved market access and supply chain opportunities for businesses whose supply chains have links to the two territories. For many businesses, the…
Against a backdrop of rising geopolitical tensions and the growing use of economic measures as tools of national security, companies are facing an increasingly complex and fast‑moving regulatory environment. Milan Trade Day 2026 will examine key developments relating to EU and US sanctions, export controls, customs and enforcement, focusing on their practical impact on Italian businesses. Through targeted sessions and operational updates, Baker McKenzie professionals will assess risks, liabilities and opportunities, providing practical guidance to…
In un contesto globale segnato da crescenti tensioni geopolitiche e da un ricorso sempre più esteso agli strumenti economici come leve di national security, le imprese si confrontano con un quadro regolatorio in costante evoluzione. Durante Il Milan Trade Day 2026 analizzeremo i principali sviluppi in materia di sanzioni UE e USA, export controls, dogane ed enforcement, con un focus sugli effetti concreti per le aziende italiane. Attraverso interventi mirati e aggiornamenti operativi, i professionisti…
We are delighted to invite you to an in-person Customs Day focusing on the latest customs and global trade developments. This half day event will be particularly relevant to customs and trade compliance professionals, as well as legal counsels who are keen on staying abreast of the dynamic changes in the field. We are privileged to have speakers from Baker McKenzie in Stockholm, along with esteemed colleagues from other Baker McKenzie offices around the world.…