The Business Breakfast

President Trump has signed into law the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, dramatically expanding U.S. sanctions on Russia's financial and energy sectors while establishing unprecedented tariff authorities on Russian goods and imports from countries purchasing Russian energy.

The Trump administration's Venezuela oil deal and expanded General Licenses have opened unprecedented opportunities for multinationals to invest in Venezuela's energy, mining, and telecommunications sectors, while simultaneously launching "Operation Economic Outcast" to impose crushing economic pressure on Iran.

On September 18, 2026, President Donald Trump signed into law the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 (Act), a significant package of sanctions, trade restrictions and related measures...

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has begun processing IEEPA tariff refunds through its CAPE system, but Phase III covering finally liquidated entries faces delays and requires court orders. With the Department of Justice appealing the universal refund order and class certification pending, importers with finally liquidated entries may need to file individual lawsuits at the Court of International Trade to preserve their claims before statutory deadlines expire.

The U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security issued guidance on May 31, 2026, clarifying licensing requirements for advanced computing items and AI technologies. The guidance maintains export restrictions for entities in certain countries while providing limited relief for data center operators, though questions remain about future regulatory direction. Companies must now strengthen their compliance programs and supply-chain due diligence as BIS continues to prioritize national security

The U.S.-Canada trading relationship has reached a critical juncture as both nations implement escalating trade measures, with Canada's counter-tariffs taking effect and the United States responding with unprecedented import bans on Canadian alcoholic beverages, dairy products, and motorcycles. These actions mark a significant expansion of the Trump Administration's use of Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, moving beyond additional tariffs to outright import restrictions. What does this escalation mean

Earlier today, in a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court held that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not authorize the President to impose tariffs.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has announced that importers with court orders for IEEPA duty refunds on finally liquidated entries can begin filing for those refunds starting October 6, 2026, through the CAPE Phase 3 system. This development follows the Supreme Court's February 2026 decision striking down IEEPA tariffs and represents a critical step for importers seeking refunds on entries liquidated for more than 80 days.

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed H.R. 5334, the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which directs the President to impose tariffs of up to 500 percent on Russian imports and up to 100 percent on imports from countries that are significant purchasers of Russian energy. The bill includes provisions for Presidential waiver authority and a five-year sunset clause...

On August 5, 2026, China’s Ministry of Commerce placed six U.S. supply chain due diligence entities on its countermeasure list and prohibited organizations and individuals in China from transacting or cooperating with them. The six include the DNA tagging, isotopic testing, supply chain mapping, and labor audit providers that many importers rely on to document origin when U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) detains goods under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA). Importers in cotton, apparel, electronics, minerals, and other UFLPA high-priority sectors should treat this as a direct hit on their evidence chain and act now.