Discretely assist companies and boards of directors conducting internal audits and investigations.
International Trade & National Security Law Firm
At Torres Trade Law, we work with U.S. and international clients - from multinationals and Fortune 500 companies to medium-sized businesses and startups - to successfully import and export goods, technology, and services. We regularly assist clients navigate regulatory challenges posed by U.S. and foreign trade policies, including China tariffs, Iran sanctions, and the export of defense-related goods and controlled or emerging technologies.
In addition, our lawyers have extensive experience assisting clients with a wide range of foreign investment matters, including the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) administering the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act of 2018 (FIRRMA).
Our lawyers regularly guide clients through myriad U.S. regulatory regimes and agencies that govern trade with the United States, including:
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
- The U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS)
- The U.S. Department of State Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC)
- U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)
- The Department of Defense Security Service (DSS)
- The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States
To assist clients with challenges across the world, Torres Trade Law is a member of two widely recognized international associations: the International Lawyers Network, a global law firm network of more than 90 law firms in 67 countries; and Alliott Group, the world's 6th largest multidisciplinary alliance of accounting and law firms. These associations allow the firm to combine local expertise with a global reach to provide clients effective cross-border solutions.
To assist with risk advisory, complex investigations, and risk intelligence, our law firm's network also includes former intelligence officers and former senior leadership in national U.S. government security positions.
PRACTICE AREAS
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Our Approach
Torres Trade Law is driven by the principle that our clients are best served by long-term relationships built on transparency, accountability, and cost-effectiveness. Our goal: to provide practical, real-world international trade advice based on an in-depth understanding of each client's strategic and business objectives coupled with comprehensive knowledge of the regulatory and competitive environments in which it does business.
We have extensive experience assisting companies in a variety of industries, including aerospace, defense contractors, commercial aviation, military electronics, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, food and beverage, data processing, machine tools, commercial electronics, satellite, unmanned vehicles, software and hi-tech, fashion and retail, private equity, and many others.
INSIGHTS
Tariffs on Mexico and Canada Delayed; China Retaliates Against 10% Tariff
By: Olga Torres, Managing Member, and Derrick Kyle, Senior Associate
Date: 02/04/2025
President Donald Trump has agreed to delay the implementation of tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada for 30 days, following negotiations with the leaders of both countries. For more information about the threatened tariffs, see yesterday’s trade alert, U.S. Imposes Tariffs on Imports from Canada and China Beginning February 4; Mexican President Announces One Month Implementation Delay (published before the announcement of the delay of tariffs on Canada). The decision to delay implementation comes after Mexico and Canada committed to enhance border security and combat the flow of fentanyl into the United States.
U.S. Imposes Tariffs on Imports from Canada and China Beginning February 4; Mexican President Announces One Month Implementation Delay
By: Olga Torres, Managing Member, and Derrick Kyle, Senior Associate
Date: 02/03/2025
On February 1, 2025, President Trump announced significant new tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China, set to take effect on February 4, 2025. The tariffs were announced via three separate Executive Orders (EOs) and are imposed on Canada to “Address the Flow of Illicit Drugs Across [the] Norther Border,” on Mexico to “Address the Situation at [the] Southern Border,” and on China to “Address the Synthetic Opioid Supply Chain in . . . China.” Importantly, unlike tariffs on China implemented under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 (Section 301) in the first Trump administration, the new tariffs are imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and are pursuant to a national emergency declared by President Trump.
U.S. Issues Unprecedented Order Restricting Investment in China
Date: 01/17/2025
This article will provide a brief overview of EO 14105 and proposed implementing rules, as well as related legislative developments focused on outbound investment screening, and the outlook for outbound investment screening procedures.
*Reproduced with permission from the State Bar of Texas International Law Section. This article was first published in August 2024.
Commerce Imposes Sweeping New Rule Restricting Exports of AI Chips
By: Olga Torres, Managing Member, and Derrick Kyle, Senior Associate
Date: 01/14/2025
On January 13, 2025, the Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) announced new rules restricting the export of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) chips and certain closed AI model weights in an expected move that was preemptively criticized by giants in the tech and semiconductor industries. The 168-page “Framework for Artificial Intelligence Diffusion” interim final rule (the “Rule”) adds a global licensing requirement for the export of advanced AI chips and closed AI model weights but with certain exclusions for some allied countries. Compliance with most portions of the new rule is required by May 15, 2025, and interested persons may submit public comments on the rule until May 15, 2025.
DOJ’s Increasing Role in the Enforcement of U.S. Trade Laws
By: By: Derrick Kyle, Senior Associate
Date: 01/08/2025
In recent years, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has become more involved in trade-related enforcement through collaboration with these administrative agencies. Notably, DOJ involvement in these actions can result in more extensive investigations, higher reputational risk for companies, and more significant penalties than those imposed solely by regulatory agencies.
*Reproduced with permission from Dallas Bar Association Headnotes Publication. This article was first published in August 2024.
Preparing for Customs Duties Under President Trump: Strategies for Consideration
By: Olga Torres, Managing Member
Date: 01/07/2025
In this continued era of protectionist and mercantilist trade policies arising from the United States, there are strategies that can be carefully evaluated and pursued to maximize Customs duty savings when importing. This article briefly summarizes a few strategies. Importantly, all duty saving strategies are heavily scrutinized by the government and should be carefully evaluated before implementation.