Alerts

On July 20, 2026, President Trump signed three supplementing presidential proclamations under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (Section 338 Tariffs), which imposes a 50 percent import tariff on certain products from Canada. The new tariffs will go into effect on August 19, 2026.

Importers should promptly review affected products, evaluate available exemptions, and assess potential cost and supply-chain impacts.

On July 15, 2026, the Trump Administration announced a new 25 percent tariff on all imports from Brazil, with certain exemptions under sections 301(b) and 304(a) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (“Trade Act”). The new tariffs will go into effect on July 22, 2026.

Importers should promptly review affected products, evaluate available exemptions, and assess potential cost and supply-chain impacts. 

Efforts to protect a brand can sometimes create unexpected business risks, particularly when legal strategy clashes with public perception. That dynamic was on full display when Allie Rose Co. announced she had secured a federal trademark for the phrase “Hot Girls Read.” The reaction was swift and overwhelmingly negative. What she intended as a protective business move instead triggered widespread backlash, raising questions not only about the strength of her trademark but also about the reputational cost of pursuing it.

Construction companies often possess valuable intellectual property assets without realizing it. From trademarks that protect brand identity to patents covering innovative building methods, copyrights safeguarding original content, and trade secrets preserving proprietary business information, strategic IP protection can strengthen competitive advantage, reduce risk, create new revenue opportunities, and enhance long-term business value. By identifying and protecting these assets, contractors can better position themselves in an increasingly competitive marketplace.