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
Torres Trade Trump Table
Date: 03/25/2025
For the latest Trump trade executive actions, please view the below Trump Trade Table for important information. This table will be monitored and updated regularly. The last update occurred March 25, 2025.
U.S. Implements Tariffs on Mexican and Canadian Goods… Unless They Qualify for USMCA
By: Olga Torres, Managing Member, Derrick Kyle, Senior Associate
Date: 03/11/2025
Just two days after the tariffs on all Mexican and Canadian products became effective, on March 6, President Trump announced amendments to the tariffs against Mexico and Canada “to minimize disruption to the United States automotive industry and automotive workers.” Specifically, the amendments provide that the tariffs would not apply to goods that qualify for preferential treatment under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The amendments also lowered the duty rate for non-qualifying imports of potash from Canada and Mexico. (For background on the tariffs and retaliation, see our earlier article, U.S. Implements New Tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China.)
U.S. Implements New Tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China
By: Olga Torres, Managing Member, Derrick Kyle, Senior Associate
Date: 03/04/2025
Beginning just after midnight on March 4, 2025, the United States implemented a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico (except Canadian “energy resources,” which are subject to a 10% tariff), and increased tariffs on China from 10% to 20%. These tariffs are implemented under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) pursuant to national emergencies declared by President Trump related to the influx of illegal immigrants and drugs, particularly fentanyl, into the United States. For additional background on the initial actions, please see our previous trade alert, Tariffs on Mexico and Canada Delayed; China Retaliates Against 10% Tariff.
America First Investment Policy Restricts Adversaries and Welcomes Investment from Allies
By: Olga Torres, Managing Member, and Derrick Kyle, Senior Associate
Date: 02/24/2025
On February 21, 2025, President Trump issued a memorandum titled "America First Investment Policy" (the “Policy”), outlining new measures to shape U.S. investment policy. Though the Policy makes it clear that the United States welcomes foreign investment, its overarching theme is that “economic security is national security” and cautions against national security threats from “foreign adversaries” like the People’s Republic of China.
U.S. Trade Representative Seeks Comments on Reciprocal Tariffs
Date: 02/20/2025
Pursuant to a Federal Register notice (“Notice”) released on February 20, 2025, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) seeks public comments to identify unfair trade practices by other countries and to investigate harm to the United States from non-reciprocal trade arrangements. The USTR’s request for comments is pursuant to the America First Trade Policy Presidential Memorandum and the Presidential Memorandum on Reciprocal Trade and Tariffs. For background on the “reciprocal tariffs,” see our earlier trade alert, President Trump Announces Plan to Establish “Reciprocal Tariffs” on All Countries. The USTR will use the information to recommend appropriate actions to remedy such practices in a report to the President.
President Trump Announces Plan to Establish “Reciprocal Tariffs” on All Countries
By: Olga Torres, Managing Member, and Derrick Kyle, Senior Associate
Date: 02/13/2025
On February 13, 2025, President Trump issued a Presidential Memorandum on “Reciprocal Trade and Tariffs” (the “Reciprocal Tariffs Memorandum”), introducing the “Fair and Reciprocal Plan” to determine “the equivalent of a reciprocal tariff with respect to each foreign trading partner.” The reciprocal tariffs may be implemented as soon as April 2025.[1]
[1] Alexandra Sharp, Trump Unveils Sweeping Reciprocal Tariff Plan, Foreign Policy, Feb. 13, 2025, available at https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/02/13/trump-reciprocal-tariffs-modi-trade-lutnick-greer/.