United States: International Law

After the fall of the Empire in China in 1912, and before the takeover of China by the Communists in 1949, there was a period in which a number of warlords controlled different areas of China. The United States felt that there was a need for certainty in the dealings of its citizens abroad therefore, for more than two decades in the early twentieth century, the United States maintained an unusual federal court on foreign soil—one that exercised full judicial authority over American citizens living and working in China.

Commercial litigation partner Jacques Semmelman joins Dateline NBC's True Crime Weekly podcast to demystify the complex world of international extradition law. Drawing on his experience as a former Assistant US Attorney, Semmelman explains the legal standards, treaty requirements, and diplomatic considerations that govern how individuals are transferred between countries to face criminal charges or serve sentences.

For foreign litigants and their counsel, a law in the United States known col- loquially as “Section 1782” (28 U.S.C. §1782) offers both an opportunity and a challenge. Section 1782 allows parties to existing or contemplated foreign pro- ceedings—or other persons with an interest in those proceedings—to obtain evidence located in the United States.

Vào ngày 25 tháng 8 năm 2026, U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) đã phối hợp với U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) và U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) để ra mắt Lực Lượng Chống Gian Lận Thương Mại (Trade Fraud Task Force). Lực lượng này đóng vai trò quan trọng trong chính sách siết chặt việc kiểm soát hành vi trốn thuế quan, gian lận hải quan và các hình thức buôn lậu theo Tariff Act of 1930, False Claims Act (FCA), cũng như các quy định về gian lận thương mại và âm mưu phạm tội thuộc Title 18.

Chinese President Xi Jinping made a reciprocal state visit to Washington last week, meeting with President Donald Trump. The White House announced the new U.S.-China Board of Trade had reached a consensus on recommendations for more favorable tariff treatment on $30 billion of non-sensitive goods in each direction.

Back in February, Justice Kavanaugh called the IEEPA tariff refund process a “mess.” At the time, the description reflected the uncertainty surrounding billions of dollars in potential refunds. Shortly thereafter, a wave of lawsuits emerged asking a deceptively simple question: if businesses passed the cost of tariffs downstream, who should ultimately benefit when those tariffs are refunded?

Europe’s defense sector is entering a period of significant investment and consolidation as governments increase defense spending, technological innovation accelerates and policymakers seek to strengthen European industrial capacity.

The Trump administration lifts sanctions on Eritrea as Ethiopia's conflict with the Tigray People's Liberation Front reignites, threatening regional stability across the Horn of Africa. As the fragile peace collapses and rebel alliances form, the potential for broader proxy warfare involving Eritrea, Gulf states, and neighboring countries raises critical questions about US strategic interests and the effectiveness of sanctions diplomacy in preventing humanitarian catastrophe.

FinCEN's September 2026 whistleblower bulletin targeting Iran-related sanctions violations provides financial institutions with a roadmap for identifying prohibited conduct, but implementing an effective response requires careful attention to intake procedures, evidence preservation, and fact-specific legal analysis. How should institutions structure their investigation protocols to address allegations involving Iranian networks while maintaining independence and avoiding bias?