The People’s Republic of China announced two new restrictive measures affecting dozens of US companies on June 22, 2026, just two weeks after the US Department of Defense’s June 8 expansion of its Section 1260H list of “Chinese Military Companies” (CMCs) by 65 entities. These latest moves are clear examples of the US and China
Latest from Capital Thinking
At A Crossroads – Issue 5: State Aid at Speed: EU Emergency Flexibility for Transport and CISAF-Eligible Energy-Intensive Industries After the Middle East Crisis
The European Commission has moved swiftly to adopt a Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF), creating additional headroom for Member States to support sectors facing acute cost pressures following the escalation of the Middle East crisis, including the Iran-related disruption, and the resulting disruption to global energy markets.
As with earlier crisis frameworks, the METSAF reflects
President Trump Invokes DPA Title III for Fossil Fuel and Grid Expansion
On April 20, President Trump signed a series of presidential determinations under Section 303 of the Defense Production Act (DPA) of 1950, invoking Title III authorities to support selected energy and energy-related industrial capabilities that the White House has deemed essential to national defense. The determinations appear intended to enable the Department of Energy (DOE)
Strategic Pre-positioning of US and China Export Control Measures Before the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders Meeting
On October 10, President Donald Trump accused China of attempting to “hold the world captive” through its rare-earth export controls and threatened “financial countermeasures” in response. His remarks underscore a new strategic reality: Export controls are no longer a national security framework to regulate sensitive technologies; they are now a key instrument that can be
Winning the Race: America’s AI Action Plan
President Trump’s Winning the Race: America’s AI Action Plan, released on July 23, 2025, marks a significant shift from the Biden Administration’s AI governance framework, most notably Executive Order 14110 (November 2023). The previous approach emphasized risk mitigation, civil rights protections, equity considerations, and oversight of advanced AI models under authorities such as the Defense
Firm Launches US Executive Actions Monitor
Squire Patton Boggs has launched its US Executive Actions Monitor, a site dedicated to tracking executive actions issued by President Donald Trump since taking office.
We offer an overview of all executive orders, providing summaries and analysis of their potential impacts, covering issues from economic and foreign policy to government reform and taxation. Our
The EU’s Foremost Economic Retaliation Device – The Anti-Coercion Instrument
Under the leadership of President Trump, the US has adopted a new trade policy that may lead to the adoption of trade measures on imports from the EU. Given the importance of the US/EU trade relationship and the EU’s stated commitment to a free trade environment, the EU has said that it will adopt measures
U.S. AI Export Controls and Strategic Shifts Under the Trump Administration
In recent days, the Biden administration’s reliance on export controls to curb China’s AI advancements has come under increasing scrutiny, particularly following the release of China’s DeepSeek R1 chatbot. This development raises concerns that prior U.S. restrictions have failed to slow China’s progress while potentially undermining U.S. global competitiveness in AI hardware and computing ecosystems.
EU Publishes Regulation Banning Products Made With Forced Labour
On 12 December 2024, the Forced Labour Regulation (FLR) was published prohibiting products made with forced labour on the EU market. This is the definitive and legally binding version of the FLR.
As detailed in an earlier client insight, the prohibition on products made with forced labour, as set out in the FLR, and the resulting obligations and associated
Trump’s Foreign Policy: Initial Implications for Businesses & Investors
President-elect Trump’s foreign policy is beginning to take shape, based on pre-inaugural diplomacy and his appointments to date. Uncertainties abound, from unexpected world events—such as a sudden regime change in Syria—to Trump’s mercurial nature, the congressional confirmation process, and how his team settles into producing policy.