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Yesterday, the United Kingdom imposed additional restrictions on trade with Russia, including a luxury goods export ban, an iron and steel import ban, and asset freeze restrictions on over two-hundred Russian actors.  Notable sanctions targets include Eugene Tenenbaum and David Davidovich, prominent business associates of Roman Abramovich, whose frozen assets are estimated to be valued…

Today, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on five Russian banks and three Russian oligarchs in response to the situation in eastern Ukraine.  The sanctions were imposed pursuant to recently strengthened sanctions authority that gives the U.K. government broad authority to impose Russia-related sanctions measures.  Today’s action applies asset freeze sanctions against the following banks and…

Yesterday, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (“USTR”) officially notified Congress that it would be launching separate trade discussions with the European Union, Japan, and the United Kingdom.  The letters sent to Congress provide notice of the Administration’s intent to negotiate trade agreements with each partner as required by the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015, often referred to as Trade Promotion Authority (“TPA”).  USTR must wait at least 90 calendar days from yesterday’s notification to initiate negotiations, and must also publish specific negotiating objectives in the Federal Register at least 30 days before talks begin.

In addition to general negotiating objectives across numerous areas – including trade in goods, services, and agriculture; intellectual property; digital trade and cross-border data flows; labor and the environment; trade remedies; anti-corruption; and dispute settlement – TPA also establishes procedures for consultation with Congress and other stakeholders throughout trade agreement negotiations.  These procedures include required reports on certain aspects of the agreement prior to signing the agreement; Congressional notification 90 days before signature; release of the final agreement text 60 days before signature; and Congressional notification of expected changes to U.S. law 60-180 days before signature.  USTR also engages with public and private sector stakeholders through consultation with various policy- and sector-oriented trade advisory committees and through comment periods and hearings announced in the Federal Register.
Continue Reading U.S. Opens Trade Talks with EU, Japan, and the UK

The basics are well-known:  having triggered Article 50 to terminate its membership in the European Union, the United Kingdom has a precious 18 months to get a deal done.  Unless every one of the 27 other Member States approve an extension of time, the UK will be a so-called “third country” vis-à-vis the EU on 30 March 2019.   The UK Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Theresa May, has proposed a “hard Brexit” that enables the EU to conclude trade agreements with other countries in what has become known as the “Global Britain” approach.   Aspirations aside, the deal to be negotiated between the EU and the UK can range from virtually no change to the status quo for years to come to a quick and risky departure that greatly increases the pressure on the UK to negotiate favorable trade agreements with the EU and other trading partners.
Continue Reading Breggsit:  Soft or Hard Boiled?