NEWSLETTER | Trade Insight AI

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Congress Targets Export Controls, Cosmetics Safety, Shipping Fees, and Critical Minerals in New Legislative Push

STR Trade Report • July 22, 2025

A series of bipartisan bills introduced in Congress address key trade issues: boosting foreign export control enforcement, tightening oversight of subsidiaries linked to restricted entities, updating cosmetics laws to ensure ingredient transparency and safety, requiring shipping-related environmental fees, and advancing international cooperation on critical mineral supply chains. These measures could significantly impact compliance obligations and supply chain dynamics for U.S. businesses across multiple sectors. The proposed legislation signals policymakers' continued focus on trade security, consumer safety, and strategic resource independence.

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Enforcement Actions and Export Controls: Rising Risks and New Precedents

Ex-Salesman Sentenced to 44 Months for Illicit U.S.-Iran Machinery Scheme

STR Trade Report •July 22, 2025

A former salesman at a U.S. subsidiary of a multinational company was sentenced to nearly four years in prison after conspiring to illegally export millions of dollars' worth of U.S.-origin heavy machinery to Iran, violating federal export control and sanctions laws. The scheme involved falsified shipping records, use of intermediaries in Iraq and Turkey, and deliberate circumvention of licensing requirements set by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. This case underscores increased enforcement efforts targeting evasion of U.S. export controls on sanctioned destinations.

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U.S. Finalizes AD/CVD Actions on Vehicles, Rebar, Solar Cells, Vanillin, and Wind Towers

STR Trade Report •July 22, 2025

The U.S. International Trade Administration and ITC have issued final affirmative antidumping and countervailing duty injury determinations on low-speed vehicles and vanillin from China, and rebar from multiple countries, including Algeria, Bulgaria, Egypt, and Vietnam. New investigations have been launched into solar cells from India, Indonesia, and Laos, while wind towers from Malaysia face a revised countervailing duty rate of 1.95% for 2022. These actions signal continued enforcement focus and evolving risks across key manufacturing and technology sectors.

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WTO Dispute Settlement and Global Governance

WTO Arbitrators Issue Award in EU-China IP Rights Dispute under MPIA Process

WTO Latest News •July 21, 2025

WTO arbitrators have released their award in the EU's appeal against China regarding the enforcement of intellectual property rights, marking only the second appeal completed through the MPIA mechanism. This decision highlights ongoing efforts by major trading partners to resolve disputes despite the paralysis of the WTO Appellate Body. The case sets an important procedural precedent for addressing trade grievances between MPIA participants.

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WTO Dispute Settlement Body Prepares Agenda for July 25 Meeting

WTO Latest News •July 25, 2025

The WTO Secretariat has released the agenda for the next meeting of the Dispute Settlement Body, scheduled for July 25, 2025. The meeting will address proposed items concerning ongoing and new trade disputes among WTO members. This session is crucial as it sets the direction for legal resolutions and enforcement of trade rules within the global trading system.

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Supply Chain Intelligence and Sourcing Strategy

Textile and Apparel Imports Dip in May as Shipments from Egypt and India Surge

STR Trade Report •July 22, 2025

U.S. textile and apparel imports declined 3.6% in May compared to April, with apparel imports seeing a notable 13.7% drop. However, imports from Egypt and India surged, with Egypt posting a staggering 276.6% annual increase and India up 54.8%. These shifts highlight changing sourcing patterns that could impact supply chains and procurement strategies for the sector.

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