North America: International Law

The United States has imposed 50% tariffs on hundreds of Canadian exports effective August 19, 2026, targeting goods across multiple sectors including machinery, wood products, chemicals, textiles, food and beverages. Canadian exporters should verify whether their products fall under the affected HTS codes, as these tariffs apply even to CUSMA-compliant goods.

The Trump administration's trade policy continues to evolve through multiple legal authorities, with new Section 338 tariffs targeting Canadian goods, ongoing IEEPA refund litigation, and expanded Section 232 investigations into aerospace and coal sectors. As the trade landscape shifts with country-specific actions and strategic sector scrutiny, companies face critical decisions about supply chain resilience and tariff mitigation strategies.

As companies navigate an expanding array of AI solutions, the regulatory landscape surrounding AI models has become as critical as their technical capabilities. The ability of governments to control access to AI models—whether through export restrictions, unpublished directives, or sudden licensing requirements—creates unprecedented legal and operational risks that businesses must understand before committing to any AI infrastructure.

The DOJ and DHS have jointly published a new Resource Guide to Trade Fraud Enforcement, highlighting the government’s coordinated approach to combating customs fraud and strengthening import compliance. The guide explains key enforcement authorities, common trade fraud schemes, and the government’s expectations for importers, customs brokers, and others participating in global supply chains.

The Trump Administration has announced new tariffs on Canadian imports and issued three presidential proclamations addressing Canada’s treatment of U.S. dairy products, alcoholic beverages, and motor vehicles. The actions rely on Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 – a statutory authority that has remained largely unused for decades.

The United States has imposed 50% tariffs on hundreds of Canadian exports effective August 19, 2026, targeting goods across multiple sectors including machinery, wood products, chemicals, textiles, food and beverages. Canadian exporters should verify whether their products fall under the affected HTS codes, as these tariffs apply even to CUSMA-compliant goods.

The Supreme Court's decision in Exxon Mobil Corp. v. Corporación CIMEX, S.A. fundamentally alters the landscape for litigation under the Helms-Burton Act by eliminating sovereign immunity as a defense for Cuban state-owned entities. This ruling opens the door for U.S. nationals to pursue trafficking claims against Cuban government agencies and instrumentalities without satisfying the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act's stringent exceptions. The decision raises critical questions about enforcement mechan

Ontario courts maintain a high threshold for challenging international arbitral awards, but recent decisions reveal when they will intervene. Two contrasting cases involving Mexico demonstrate the narrow circumstances...

Foreign court judgments don't automatically grant creditors the right to seize assets in the United States. Recognition by a U.S. court is required first, governed primarily by state law through the Uniform Foreign-Country Money Judgments Recognition Act or common-law principles. Understanding jurisdiction requirements, proper service, procedural fairness, and available defenses determines whether enforcement succeeds or fails.