Welcome to this month’s issue of The BR International Trade Report, Blank Rome’s monthly digital newsletter highlighting international trade, cross-border investment, and geopolitical risk issues impacting businesses domestically and abroad. We invite you to share this resource with your colleagues and visit Blank Rome’s International Trade webpage for more information about our team. 

Recent Developments

President Trump issues EO to strengthen customs enforcement. On June 3, the President signed an executive order (“EO”) to address purported inefficiencies and insufficient enforcement mechanisms of U.S. customs laws. The EO strengthens enforcement penalties, import disclosure requirements, and oversight of importers of record (“IORs”), and calls for prioritization of enforcement actions against forced labor imports, misclassification, undervaluation, and illegal transshipment. The EO directs U.S. Customs and Border Protection to implement these requirements within 90 to 180 days, and calls on the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to propose legislation where necessary to strengthen customs enforcement consistent with the EO’s objectives. For additional information, see Blank Rome’s June 9 client alert.

U.S. tariff developments:

  • DOJ to appeal CIT order requiring IEEPA refunds of finally liquidated entries. On June 2, the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) appealed the “universal” order of the U.S. Court of International Trade (“CIT”) requiring the refund of International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”) duties for entries that have reached “final” liquidation. 
  • White House modifies Section 232 tariffs on aluminum, steel, and copper. On June 1, President Trump signed a Proclamation reducing tariffs on agricultural equipment from 25 percent to 15 percent and lowering the composition threshold for goods to qualify as “entirely” made from American aluminum, steel, or copper—and thus eligible for a 10 percent duty rate—from 95 percent to 85 percent, in order to promote the use of American metals.
  • USTR proposes new tariffs on 60 trading partners for failure to take action on forced labor. Following its Section 301 investigation, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (“USTR”) proposed duties, ranging from 10 to 12.5 percent, on 60 countries for failure to prohibit the use of forced labor. Afterwards, USTR Jamieson Greer sought to assure trading partners that had previously reached framework trade agreements with the United States capping U.S. tariffs, such as the European Union (“EU”) and Japan, that such deals would remain in place if they address the forced labor issues raised in the Section 301 investigation. Interested persons may submit written comments by July 6 or request to attend USTR’s July 7 public hearing. 

President Trump indicates that he may not renew USMCA. The President told reporters on June 10 that he may not renew the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (“USMCA”), weeks before a July 1 milestone to extend the pact for another 16 years.  The USMCA, the successor to the North American Free Trade Agreement that the three countries ratified in 2020, will enter annual reviews and a 10-year countdown towards expiration if the United States does not renew as of July 1, 2026. The White House has expressed concern with the USMCA, most recently proposing to raise regional and U.S. content requirements for automobiles to qualify for the pact’s benefits. The next round of talks are scheduled for the week of July 20 in Mexico City.

AI / tech measures.

  • President Trumps signs AI EO. Titled “Promoting Advanced Artificial Intelligence Innovation and Security,” the June 2 EO aims to strengthen U.S. cyber defenses against artificial intelligence (“AI”), add guardrails to the burgeoning industry, and calls for the formation of a collaborative inter-agency and industry-wide AI cybersecurity clearinghouse to promote secure innovation. In addition, the Secretaries of the Treasury, War, and Homeland Security are directed to create a benchmarking process to determine which models are considered “covered frontier models” and design a framework for AI developers to engage with and provide the federal government early access to these models.
  • President Trump issues NSPM on AI. On June 5, Trump issued National Security Presidential Memorandum (“NSPM”)-11 to advance the development and deployment of AI for national security and military use. To accelerate AI usage, agencies will collaborate with the technology industry to ensure effective training for soldiers and intelligence operatives, develop a joint strategy for AI risk implementation and management, establish AI security practices, and prioritize research and development of technologies that ensure AI accuracy and governability while comporting with mission requirements and constitutional protections. 
  • U.S. and Sweden sign Technology Prosperity Deal. The deal provides a framework for bilateral collaboration across a broad range of strategic science and technology disciplines, including trusted AI, advanced connectivity, biomedical research, advanced manufacturing, energy innovation, space exploration, defense innovation, quantum technology, and research security.
  • European Union to join Pax Silica. On June 3, EU member state ambassadors authorized the European Commission to sign the Pax Silica declaration. The U.S.-led multilateral network was launched in December 2025 to secure stable AI supply chains.

U.S. critical minerals deals:

  • U.S.-India Critical Minerals Framework. The framework seeks to “protect sensitive supply chains from coercive market practices” and reduce both countries’ reliability on single-source monopolies (i.e., China).
  • Quad Critical Minerals Initiative. On May 26,representatives of the Quad—diplomatic partnership consisting of the United States, Australia, India, and Japan—launched a Critical Minerals Initiative to coordinate investment in mining, processing, and recycling supply chains.
  • U.S.-Armenia critical mineral framework. On May 26, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan announced the Framework For Securing of Supply in the Mining and Processing of Critical Minerals and Rare Earths. The critical minerals framework is intended to secure the supply of critical minerals and rare earths by coordinating investment, streamlining permitting, and mobilizing government and private sector financing to accelerate mining, separation, processing, and recycling operations within Armenia.

President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping hold summit in China. Following their May 14-15 summit in Beijing, President Trump and President Xi established two new bilateral institutions–the U.S.-China Board of Trade and the U.S.-China Board of Investment. These institutions are set to provide structured channels for managing trade in non-sensitive goods and addressing investment-related concerns between Washington and Beijing. President Xi accepted an invitation to visit Washington this fall.

Sanctions developments:

  • OFAC delists 76 sanctions targets as part of modernization effort. On May 28, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) removed sanctions on 76 “deceased individuals, scrapped or decommissioned vessels, persons designated as part of illicit financial networks that no longer exist, and individuals designated more than 10 years ago who lack sufficient identifiers for continued screening and do not appear to pose an ongoing threat.” OFAC noted that the delistings are part of its “sanctions modernization initiative” and that “[s]anctions are not intended to be a forever tool”.
  • United States increases pressure on Cuba. On June 4, the Trump Administration imposed sanctions on Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, his wife, and other Cuban officials. The move follows the DOJ’s May 20 indictment of former Cuban president Raul Castro for his role in the 1996 downing of a plane that killed of three Americans. 

EU trade developments:

  • European Union adds safeguards to U.S. trade deal. In late May, the European Parliament Committee voted to enact legislation to bring the bloc into compliance with the EU-U.S. trade deal negotiated in July 2025. Per the agreement, the European Union will eliminate duties on most U.S. industrial goods while preserving its right to suspend tariff reductions if U.S. imports harm European industry. Unless renewed, the compromise will expire in December 2029.
  • EU-Mexico trade deal. On May 22, the European Union and Mexico signed the Modernized Global Agreement and an interim trade agreement. The agreements will reduce Mexican tariffs on European agricultural goods, improve coordination on critical mineral supply chains, and make it easier for EU companies to do business in Mexico. The deal will result in over 90 percent of trade between both entities moving tariff-free.
  • European Union meets to address Chinese trade imbalance. On May 29, EU officials met to address the EU-China trade imbalance. Reports indicate that the European Union may move towards instituting more assertive tariff instruments, akin to U.S. Section 301 measures, to strengthen its economic toolkit. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has warned against such EU measures, vowing to “resolutely counteract” if discriminatory restrictions are adopted.
  • EU-UK efforts to reintegrate trade. The UK government reportedly proposed to the European Union that the two economies enter into a single market for goods as part of an effort to deepen trade ties post-Brexit. Reports indicate that EU representatives rejected the offer, instead proposing a customs union or integration through the United Kingdom joining the European Economic Area, considered to be nonstarters for the Starmer government. UK and EU representatives will hold another round of meetings on July 13.  

AUKUS announces undersea drone project. The trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States (“AUKUS”), founded in September 2021 to counter China’s power in the Indo-Pacific region, announced an expansion in operations. Pillar Two of the partnership will involve increased cooperation to develop undersea drones and undersea defense systems, as well as expand capabilities in cyberspace, AI, and quantum computing. Pillar One is focused on supplying Australia with nuclear submarines.

For continuous, up-to-date information on the evolving administrative landscape, check out Blank Rome’s Trump Administration Resource Hub. Explore previous BR International Trade Reports here.

In Case You Missed It 

Trump Administration Issues Executive Order Bolstering Customs Enforcement

Blank Rome partners Joanne E. Osendarp, of counsel Timothy J. Hruby, senior counsel Alan G. Kashdan, and associate Feven T. Negussie authored this alert discussing President Trump’s recently issued EO which strengthens U.S. customs enforcement by imposing stricter financial, disclosure, and compliance requirements on importers, while also increasing oversight, penalties, and enforcement intended to close purported loopholes as well as protect national security.

Read More >> 

Venezuela Sanctions Update: Tracking OFAC General Licenses Post-Maduro

Blank Rome partners Anthony Rapa and Kenneth J. Nunnenkamp, foreign associate Ekinsu Cebi Elkei, and associate Feven T. Negussie authored this alert discussing the OFAC’s new and updated general licenses that significantly ease longstanding U.S. sanctions on Venezuela, especially in the oil, gas, and minerals sectors.

Read More >> 

Sanctions, Geopolitics, and the New Risks Shaping Global Food Supply Chains

Blank Rome partner Anthony Rapa was featured in this New Food article discussing how rising geopolitical tensions, sanctions, and regulatory pressures are disrupting global food supply chains, and making trade routes and sourcing increasingly uncertain and complex for businesses to navigate.

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Blank Rome’s International Trade Practice and Attorneys Ranked in Chambers USA 2026

We are proud to share that Blank Rome’s International Trade group and attorneys were once again highly ranked in the 2026 Chambers USA rankings, highlighting our depth of experience across trade remedies, trade policy, economic sanctions, and export controls. Our International Trade practice ranked in International Trade: Trade Remedies & Trade Policy, reflecting the strength of our team counseling clients on complex, high-stakes trade matters. 

Individual recognitions include: 

We are grateful to our clients for their continued trust and partnership as we work together to navigate complex global challenges. 

Read More >> 

Upcoming Events

June 18, 2026

2026 WIIT Annual Awards Dinner and Concert

Blank Rome International Trade attorneys will be attending the 2026 Association of Women in International Trade (“WIIT”) Annual Awards Dinner and Concert on June 18, 2026, in Washington, D.C. The WIIT supports the professional growth of women in international trade and business while increasing public awareness of the vital role international trade plays in economic development. Blank Rome is proud to be a sponsor of this organization.

Read More >> 

To learn more about other Recent Developments or Upcoming Events, click here.

To read more about Blank Rome's International Trade practice, please visit our website.

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© 2026 Blank Rome LLP. All rights reserved. Please contact Blank Rome for permission to reprint. Notice: The purpose of this update is to identify select developments that may be of interest to readers. The information contained herein is abridged and summarized from various sources, the accuracy and completeness of which cannot be assured. This update should not be construed as legal advice or opinion, and is not a substitute for the advice of counsel.