March 2025 Export Practitioner

The United States has filed a civil forfeiture complaint in the Southern District of Florida against a Dassault Falcon 900 EX aircraft, tail number T7-ESPRT, used by Nicolás Maduro Moros and his regime in violation of U.S. sanctions and export laws. The aircraft was seized last year in the Dominican Republic at the request of the U.S.

In a sweeping overhaul of the Justice Department’s senior leadership, the White House has removed or reassigned dozens of career officials, particularly within the National Security Division (NSD), signaling a dramatic shift in the department’s priorities and approach to the rule of law. The moves reflect the President’s unconventional approach to governance, marked by a disregard for institutional norms and an emphasis on loyalty over established legal expertise.

Despite the Justice Department's dismantling of inter-agency cooperation to enforce sanctions and combat corruption, cases begun before the change of regime continue to wend their way though the courts. March 10, The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York granted the government’s motion to strike the ownership claim of Eduard Khudainatov and Millemarin Investments Ltd. concerning the Motor Yacht Amadea.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the American Chamber of Commerce to the EU (AmCham EU) have released The Transatlantic Economy 2025 , the 22nd edition of their annual report detailing the strength …

The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) Board of Directors has unanimously approved a second amendment to a direct loan of up to $4.7 billion to support the export of U.S. equipment and services for an integrated liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Mozambique. Originally authorized in 2019, the transaction had been delayed for four years and now moves forward with no material changes.

Following Senate action last week, House Republicans reintroduced the bipartisan Foreign Investment Guardrails to Help Thwart (FIGHT) China Act.  The legislation establishes a "comprehensive outbound investment screening regime that protects the savings and retirement accounts of hardworking Americans. The bill creates targeted restrictions to ensure U.S. investors are not unwittingly financing the CCP’s military and surveillance capabilities."

President Trump signed an executive order Thursday directing a sweeping federal effort to expand domestic production of critical minerals, citing national security and economic independence as primary justifications. The measure invokes the Defense Production Act and targets key resources such as uranium, copper, potash, gold, and aluminum, with provisions that may extend to coal.

President Trump announced the creation of a new Office of Shipbuilding in the White House to boost the U.S. defense industrial base. The administration will resurrect the American shipbuilding industry, including commercial shipbuilding and military shipbuilding, he said. The order reportedly includes measures ranging from raising revenue from fees on Chinese-built ships and cranes entering the U.S., to establishing a new office at the National Security Council to strengthen the domestic maritime sector.

The President on Saturday signed an executive order to expedite logging on federal lands and launched an investigation that could lead to higher tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber. The executive order, titled Immediate Expansion of American Timber Production, directs federal agencies to streamline the permitting process for timber harvesting on public lands. Alongside this initiative, the president instructed Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to initiate a Section 232 investigation into the national security implications of lumber imports. Canadian softwood lumber imports to the U.S. are already subject to a 14.5% combined tariff, including both anti-dumping and countervailing duties. A proposed 25% tariff increase, if implemented, would raise the total levy to nearly 40%, potentially leading to higher lumber prices and construction costs across the country.

In contrast to the Treasury Department's flurry of staffing announcements, the Commerce Department quietly updated its website this week, detailing the staff incoming BIS Chief Jeffrey Kessler will rely on to ensure trade security. The appointment of James Rokas as Mr. Kessler's principal deputy has been thrown into doubt, as Chief of Staff Robert Burkett has replaced Mr. Rokas as acting undersecretary.

The Emerging Technology Technical Advisory Committee (ETTAC) will meet on March 10, 2025, to advise and assist the Secretary of Commerce and other Federal officials on matters related to export control policies. The public session will include working group reports, open business discussions, and industry presentations. DATES: The meeting will be held on March 10, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Eastern Time.

Rep Mark Green (R-TN) once again introduced his China Technology Transfer Control Act, having  failed to advance the initiative in the 116th, 117th and 118th Congress.   There were no co-sponsors. The bill controls exports of certain national interest technology and intellectual property to China, calling for the US Trade Representative to maintain a designated list of product components subject to enforcement.