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Practice Areas :
Trade and Trade Policy
Patton Boggs advises both U.S. and non-U.S. public and private corporations, foreign governments and quasi-governmental agencies, and trade associations on international trade legislation, trade litigation, free trade agreements (FTAs), World Trade Organization (WTO)-related issues, and a host of other matters involving international trade and trade policy.
The firm represents clients before the U.S. Congress; the U.S. Court of International Trade; the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit; the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC); the WTO; the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); and the U.S. Departments of Commerce, Homeland Security, State and Treasury.
Administrative Import Relief Proceedings
Patton Boggs has been involved in trade remedy litigation under all the major import relief laws, including antidumping, countervailing duty, section 337, section 301 and section 421 proceedings. In addition, the firm participates in proceedings before the ITC and USTR pertaining to duty-free privileges available under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) for imported products. We have represented the governments of Guatemala, Costa Rica, Niger and Oman in the context of workers’ rights petitions in the GSP process and have assisted clients in obtaining accelerated tariff elimination under various trade agreements such as the U.S.-Canada Free Trade Agreement and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
International Trade Negotiations
Patton Boggs has assisted clients during numerous international trade negotiations, including the GATT Multilateral Trade Negotiations (the Uruguay Round) and the Doha Round, as well as with NAFTA-related matters. We identify tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade in export markets, providing private sector advice and recommendations to the U.S. negotiators; general monitoring of developments in the negotiations; and notification to clients of opportunities and potential problems arising in the talks on subsidies, agriculture, intellectual property, goods and services.
Free Trade Agreements
Patton Boggs has been actively involved in advising sovereign clients and foreign trade associations on Free Trade Agreements and Trade and Investment Framework Agreements with the United States. Recent clients include the Government of Peru, the Korean International Trade Association, ANDI (the Colombian private sector trade association) and the Government of Kuwait.
In addition, the firm has represented clients in other major bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations, including the U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement, and bilateral market access negotiations with Japan, Taiwan and Korea.
Foreign Market Development
Patton Boggs pursues a variety of different strategies to help clients successfully resolve foreign trade barriers that limit their market access. We also work frequently with the USTR in trade negotiations attempting to reduce or eliminate tariffs and non-tariff barriers to trade in numerous countries, including Canada, China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, several Eastern European nations, Nigeria and the European Union (EU).
Similarly, attorneys with the firm have provided advice and guidance to both U.S. and foreign clients on all aspects of dispute settlement before the WTO, in sectors including agriculture, trade in goods, and trade in services.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Patton Boggs works on behalf of importers to obtain favorable rulings on classification issues, valuation issues, and country of origin, marking, and quota requirements, and has successfully prosecuted protests on initial Customs rulings. We also represent clients in the U.S. Court of International Trade in litigation over rulings by the agency.
In addition, we have frequent dealings with the commercial operations personnel at the agency on matters involving duty-free stores, bonded warehouses, and the enforcement of food and drug regulations by Customs and Border Protection.
Export Controls
Patton Boggs provides advice about applications of the Export Administration Regulations (including the anti-boycott regulations), the Foreign Asset Control Regulations, and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. Our representation has included assistance in licensing large transfers of technical data to the People’s Republic of China, agricultural products to Cuba, and electronic parts and components to Europe. We frequently help clients to comply with these rules as they affect exports, shipping, and other transactions, specifically in the Middle East.
In addition to our counseling and licensing work, we represent large and small companies in connection with government compliance audits and enforcement proceedings.
Legislation and Trade Policy Matters
Patton Boggs has been involved in every major international trade bill for many years, as well as in the implementation of any items negotiated by the WTO in terms of how they will be passed into law. We have participated in all aspects of the trade legislative process, from drafting legislation, amendments and testimony to working directly with Members of Congress, their staffs and the Administration to pass or oppose legislation.
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