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
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.
A Primer on the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS)
By: Camille Edwards, Associate
Date: 01/07/2025
The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS” or “the Committee) is an interagency body of the U.S. government that plays a critical role in safeguarding national security by reviewing foreign investments in U.S. businesses and assets. Established in 1975 through an Executive Order issued by President Gerald Ford, CFIUS initially served as an advisory committee to monitor and evaluate the impact of foreign investments on the U.S. economy. Over time, its role has evolved significantly to focus on identifying and mitigating risks to national security posed by such investments.
New Rules Further Restrict China’s Access to Semiconductor Technology
By: Derrick Kyle, Senior Associate
Date: 01/07/2025
On December 2, 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) issued two new rules further restricting China’s capability to produce advanced semiconductors. One final rule (the “Entity List Updates Rule”) adds 140 entities to the BIS Entity List and assigns 16 entities the new Footnote 5 designation. Concurrently, an interim final rule makes several changes to the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”), including adding new Foreign Direct Product (“FDP”) rules, adding or modifying several Export Control Classification Numbers (“ECCNs”) on the Commerce Control List (“CCL”), adding new license exceptions, and other revisions.