Blogs

On January 13, the chief administrative law judge of the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), John Mulrooney, postponed the highly anticipated hearing on the rescheduling of cannabis under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), which was set to begin on January 21. The order postpones the rescheduling hearing for at least three months.

The US Customs Agency, established in 1789 under the US Department of the Treasury, has undergone significant transformations throughout its history. Initially focused on revenue collection and trade regulation, the agency’s role expanded to include national security functions following its integration into the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in 2003 pursuant to the Homeland Security Act of 2022 (HSA).

Prop 65 Counsel: What To Know

On December 11, 2024, the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) lacked statutory authority to approve Nasdaq’s board diversity rules. Subject to certain exceptions, the diversity rules required, among other things, that Nasdaq-listed companies publicly disclose the demographic makeup of their boards of directors, and that boards with five or more directors include at least two “diverse” directors.

On January 14, the US Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) published two opinion letters, FLSA2025-1, which addresses tip pooling under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and FMLA2025-1-A, which provides guidance on how employers may coordinate paid family leave benefits with leave taken under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

President Trump has been explicit in his focus on immigration compliance and enforcement. Employers should expect increased workplace enforcement actions, including US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and unannounced workplace enforcement actions.

Headlines that Matter for Companies and Executives in Regulated Industries

Every president since George Washington has used the power of the executive order to achieve policy goals, set uniform standards for managing the executive branch of government, or influence the behavior of private citizens. In Washington’s case, orders were issued requiring executive departments to prepare reports for his inspection, and a proclamation was issued for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Following his inauguration on January 20, President Trump signed a slew of executive orders, including a handful related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

The United States has prevailed in a dispute against Mexico under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) concerning genetically modified (GM) corn.

It is that time of year again when employers have to decide who they are sponsoring for an H-1B visa.

The first day of any presidential administration is filled with both ceremony and bureaucracy. The first day of the second Trump Administration was no different.

In its most recent effort to keep pace with advancing technology, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued two draft guidances on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the context of drugs, biologics, and medical devices.

Headlines that Matter for Companies and Executives in Regulated Industries

As President-elect Trump prepares to take office on January 20, the construction industry must anticipate shifts in trade policy, particularly concerning tariffs. These changes are expected to have significant implications for various sectors, including energy and clean technology.

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to assume office on January 20, numerous tariff proposals have already been put forward that could significantly impact the electric vehicle (EV) and battery supply chain industry. Differentiating between the potential for immediate tariff actions and those requiring more time to implement is critical for companies that are in preparation of such actions.

Consumer protection wins again! The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced a final order settling its complaint against Rytr LLC, an artificial intelligence (AI) writing assistant tool that was capable of producing detailed and specific false product reviews using AI technology.

The incoming Trump Administration’s approach to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and tax policies is generating significant interest within the electric vehicle (EV) sector.

As President-elect Trump continues to shape his economic plan with significant tariff policies, it’s crucial for businesses to stay informed about the potential risks and opportunities his announcements may bring.

As President-elect Trump prepares to take office for a second term, his presidency will undoubtedly reshape US international trade policy, impacting US and foreign manufacturing. We can expect that his administration will implement new and increased tariffs. Whether those tariffs come in the form of universal tariffs, tariffs targeted to a few countries, industries or products, or tariffs targeted to certain companies will likely be known once Trump assumes office. The solar industry, particularly solar products originating from China, is expected to be a focus point of potential future tariff measures.

Welcome to the January 2025 issue of “As the (Customs and Trade) World Turns,” our monthly newsletter where we compile essential updates from the customs and trade world over the past month. We bring you the most recent and significant insights in an accessible format, concluding with our main takeaways — aka “And the Fox Says…” — on what you need to know.

Educating employees about sexual harassment — what it is, that it is unlawful, that your organization won’t tolerate it, how to prevent it, how to respond to it, etc. — can contribute to safer and more productive workplace, plus reduce exposure to successful harassment claims. Recognizing that, on their own, many employers have implemented sexual harassment prevention training programs.

The US Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) introduced its long-anticipated (some would say dreaded) Framework for Artificial Intelligence Diffusion (the AI Diffusion Rule) on January 15. Highlights include the first-ever export controls on artificial intelligence (AI) models and worldwide license requirements for advanced chips.

Last November, Nasdaq proposed a rule change that would lengthen the notification period for companies conducting reverse stock splits from five business days to 10 calendar days. The rule change became effective immediately and will become operative on January 30.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will hold an informal hearing at 1:00pm EST on January 17, regarding the proposed amendment to its existing impersonation rule.