Butzel Adds Tariff and Trade Resource Center to Meet Evolving Client Needs
DETROIT, Mich. – Butzel recently established a Tariff and Trade Resource Center, which monitors, interprets, and responds to fast-moving developments impacting manufacturers and suppliers worldwide.
In today's complex global economy, tariff and trade law isn’t just a legal concern, it’s a strategic priority. For manufacturers, suppliers, and stakeholders in industries including automotive, aerospace and defense (A&D), and others, regulatory decisions on tariffs, trade agreements, and customs compliance can directly impact costs, sourcing strategies, and market access.
“Businesses need time to plan,” said Jennifer M. Smith-Veluz, international trade law attorney, based in Butzel’s Washington, D.C. office. “ The constant changes to U.S. tariffs imposed on other countries are disruptive to businesses. Butzel’s Tariff and Trade Resource Center is a go-to client resource which provides critical updates on tariff and trade matters.”
Navigating complex global trade regulations—such as Section 301 and 232 tariffs used by the US to address unfair trade practices and national security concerns, respectively, with China and other countries—requires deep legal capabilities. The International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) grants the President authority to regulate commerce during national emergencies and often is invoked to implement sanctions or trade restrictions involving China and other countries for which Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) exist. Duties implemented under IEEPA are incremental duties imposed in addition to any prior or existing tariffs, including tariffs on goods from China under Section 301.
Knowledge of rising risks of trade agreement violations, including United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) regulations, and others, along with an understanding of the increasingly complex landscape of tariff stacking, uncertainty around tariff exclusions and renewals, aggressive customs enforcement, and Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) classification disputes, also is paramount. Understanding World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and decisions are equally vital, as they influence cross-border pricing, compliance, intellectual property, and product classification. Compliance with origin rules under FTAs and customs requirements including proper valuation of imported merchandise, and scrutiny under the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and its national security reviews underscores the need for a strong grasp of trade and tariff law. Butzel has the knowledge and experience to help businesses manage risk, be compliant, and maintain a competitive edge in global markets.
Legal tactics often involve optimizing tooling and sourcing, managing contracts under fluctuating terms, and making strategic use of Foreign Trade Zones (FTZs), bonded warehouses, and other tariff mitigation tools. Whether a company is reconfiguring supply chains in response to tariff shifts, considering nearshoring to minimize exposure, or seeking to leverage preferential trade terms, understanding the legal terrain is essential.
Butzel’s Tariff and Trade Team delivers practical, agile legal solutions. As a large firm with a presence across Michigan and beyond, Butzel harnesses its 171 years of experience in the world’s most complex industries. Butzel attorneys serve as trusted advisors and partners to manufacturers and businesses of all sizes, Tier 1, 2, and 3 suppliers, and governments and trade associations around the globe.
The Butzel Tariff and Trade Resource Team includes:
- Jennifer M. Smith-Veluz
- Mitchell Zajac
- Catherine M. Karol
- Cynthia J. Haffey
- Sheldon H. Klein
- Daniel R.W. Rustmann
- James C. Bruno
- Jennifer A. Dukarski
- David J. DeVine
- Andrew S. AbdulNour
