USA: Supreme Court Declines to Fast-Track Review of Legal Challenge to Tariffs
On June 20, 2025, the US Supreme Court declined to expedite review of a legal challenge to many of President Donald Trump’s tariffs, as reported by the New York Times. The legal challenge filed by two US companies alleges that Trump lacks the authority to authorize tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The companies had asked the court to fast-track their review of the case, arguing that the tariffs had caused a national emergency warranting swift judicial action. With the Supreme Court’s decision, however, the case will now be reviewed on the usual schedule and a ruling is expected later in the summer.
This case comes after a separate and broader challenge in which the US Court of International Trade also ruled against the administration’s tariffs program. The tariffs remain in place while that appeals process moves forward, with oral arguments scheduled for July 31.
China: Facility Registration Renewals
The General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) requires enterprises be registered with the Bureau of Import and Export Food Safety before exporting most food and beverage products to China as part of the requirements enumerated in Decree 248. Enterprises registered in the China Import Food Enterprises Registration (CIFER) system as part of the country’s requirements should take notice of their registration expiration date at the CIFER Query website. Generally, an enterprise registration in CIFER is valid for five years from the date of registration approval but this registration validity period may be made longer or shorter at the discretion of Chinese authorities. In many instances, GACC did not grant five-year initial CIFER registrations based on their internal policies. Facilities should be aware of their registration expiration date and make plans for how and when they will complete their registration renewal applications. Enterprises must initiate the registration renewal process within the window of three to six months prior to the registration’s expiration date.
For more information, see the GAIN Report on this subject published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agriculture Service.
EU-UAE: Trade Talks Begin
The European Union and the United Arab Emirates have formally launched negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement, opening the possibility of the first comprehensive EU trade deal in the Gulf region. The first meetings of negotiating teams will focus on reducing tariffs on goods and facilitating services, digital trade, and investment flows.
EU: Sanctions Adopted on Russian and Belarusian Agricultural Goods
On June 12, 2025, the Council adopted a regulation that imposes new tariffs on the remaining agricultural products and certain fertilizers from Russia and Belarus that were not yet subject to extra customs duties. The affected goods include fruits and nuts under CN Chapter 08 and preparations of vegetables, fruit, nuts or other parts of plants under CN Chapter 20. The regulation will enter into force by July 1, 2025.