International Trade

The U.S. Trade Representative seeks stakeholder input on the USMCA agreement ahead of its 2027 review. Companies relying on cross-border trade are encouraged to submit comments and may request to testify at an upcoming public hearing.

The G20 Trade Ministerial has called for global cooperation to eliminate forced labor from supply chains. While no new procurement obligations are created, government contractors should assess their supply chain practices in light of this international focus.

Turkey's Otokar has finalized a significant **$1.47 billion** export deal for wheeled armored vehicles. While the buyer and specific vehicle models remain undisclosed, the multiyear contract's implications underscore notable demand for defense manufacturing and logistics support.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency has initiated a partnership with Ecuador to enhance its electricity regulatory framework. This initiative opens significant procurement opportunities for U.S. firms in power generation and related technologies, strengthening energy security in Ecuador and increasing U.S. involvement in Latin American energy infrastructure.

Indonesia's Trade Ministry leads initiatives to digitalize traditional markets, enhancing vendor competitiveness. Nearly 7,000 markets and over 300,000 vendors receive support in modernizing trade practices. This marks significant procurement opportunities for technology providers and service firms in e-commerce and market integration.

The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service has committed $13.5 million to improve U.S. specialty crop exports. This funding will support scientific research and regulatory compliance, indicating ongoing opportunities for contractors in agricultural exports and trade standards.

The US and Italy have signed an MOU to enhance cooperation on critical minerals, crucial for industrial needs and supply chain resilience. This partnership may open new procurement opportunities for contractors specializing in materials processing and mining.

In a significant policy shift, the President's memorandum mandates federal agencies to exclude Canadian goods from procurement. This action necessitates adjustments in sourcing strategies and may reshape vendor eligibility and supply chains associated with federal contracts.

The New Jersey Ireland Trade Commission aims to deepen trade and investment ties between New Jersey and Ireland. Established by Governor Murphy, this initiative opens potential avenues for procurement and infrastructure projects, emphasizing collaboration in economic development sectors.

The USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service is accepting applications for the GSM-102 Export Credit Guarantee Program until September 30, 2026. This program aims to facilitate U.S. agricultural exports by guaranteeing credit to foreign banks, presenting opportunities for exporters and financial institutions in the agricultural sector.

The U.S. Trade Representative trains over 50 nations on forced labor prohibitions. This initiative, in collaboration with DHS, CBP, and the Labor Department, aims to enhance supply chain compliance and reinforce ethical sourcing practices amid evolving global standards.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has begun funding a feasibility study for Thailand's first small modular reactor (SMR) project. This initiative aims to enhance energy security while presenting substantial procurement opportunities for U.S. nuclear technology vendors in the growing Southeast Asian market.

The U.S. International Trade Commission has confirmed the continuation of antidumping and countervailing duties on OCTG imports. This decision protects U.S. manufacturers from foreign competition and has significant implications for procurement strategies within the oil and gas sector.

ASELSAN has secured a contract with AMZ-Kutno for ARSUS systems, enhancing Turkey-Poland defense ties. The deal, revealed at the MSPO exhibition, indicates significant procurement opportunities in reconnaissance and surveillance technologies.

Governor Abigail Spanberger outlines significant initiatives to enhance Virginia's economy, targeting aerospace, defense, and forestry. These measures will likely create new contracting opportunities for both local and international firms, particularly in sectors crucial to Virginia's economic landscape.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership's VALET program expands with 12-13 new companies signed up, indicating an enhanced commitment to international trade. The initiative aims to bolster local economies through increased export activities, thus presenting new opportunities for firms in logistics, compliance, and consulting sectors.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is spearheading a trade mission to Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands from August 30 to September 2, 2026, with the aim of enhancing U.S. agricultural exports. This initiative connects 38 agribusinesses and state agriculture departments, fostering stronger trade relationships in the region and opening new market opportunities for U.S. exporters.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has decided to extend its investigations into welded stainless steel imports from India, Turkey, and the UAE. This move indicates potential trade remedies that may impact procurement and sourcing strategies in the steel manufacturing sector, expected in October.

The UK Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade seeks input on a treaty with Morocco aimed at establishing a legally binding procurement framework. This initiative may open up significant opportunities for UK companies within Morocco's £33 billion public procurement landscape ahead of the 2030 World Cup.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) will host a delegation from Southern Africa to discuss energy modernization. The initiative highlights procurement opportunities for U.S. firms in the region's energy sector, particularly in advanced transmission and distribution technologies.

The U.S. Department of Labor has resolved a critical labor dispute involving Grupo Yazaki in Mexico, allowing tariff liquidation to resume. This case highlights the necessity for compliance with labor standards under the USMCA, impacting supply chains and trade practices significantly.

The USITC has found China’s L-lysine imports inflicting material damage on U.S. industry. Antidumping and countervailing duties will soon be imposed, requiring procurement professionals to reassess sourcing strategies.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency is funding a feasibility study to enhance Tonga's fuel transport and storage infrastructure. This project not only addresses energy security concerns but also presents significant opportunities for U.S. firms in engineering and construction sectors to engage in international energy developments.

The USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service is now accepting applications for FY2027 funding through the Foreign Market Development and Market Access programs. These initiatives offer crucial financial support to organizations focused on promoting U.S. agricultural exports internationally, providing significant opportunities for contractors in related sectors.

The U.S. and Zambia have signed a MOU to facilitate investment in various sectors, opening opportunities for U.S. contractors. This initiative from 2023 to 2028 enhances bilateral cooperation and provides access to Zambia's growing market for U.S. firms.

The **World Trade Organization** has officially withdrawn from the **Agreement on Government Procurement** (GPA), impacting procurement processes globally. This exit, affecting over $1.7 trillion in annual procurement, will lead to changes in market access and compliance requirements for government contractors, prompting a reevaluation of international procurement strategies.

The U.S. Department of Commerce and CBP have ramped up enforcement under the EAPA, discovering over $1 billion in unpaid duties. The collaboration reflects a significant opportunity for compliance consultants and import/export businesses to adapt to new enforcement strategies.

The UK confirms its ongoing participation in the WTO's Agreement on Government Procurement, ensuring access to international markets. This decision supports UK businesses seeking government contracts abroad and highlights the importance of fair competition in global procurement.

Virginia's VALET program prepares local companies for global markets with the graduation of 14 firms and inclusion of 13 new participants. This initiative presents enhanced procurement opportunities for contractors and suppliers in the state as companies develop export capabilities.

The U.S. Department of Commerce heralded multiple aerospace agreements at the Farnborough Airshow, reflecting robust international demand for U.S. products. Notable contracts involve Gulf Air, Philippine Airlines, and Uganda Airlines, presenting significant procurement opportunities, particularly in North and South Carolina.

The USTR and Jordan have formalized a Reciprocal Trade Agreement, enhancing U.S. market access. This paves the way for increased exports and reduced trade barriers, creating significant opportunities for American contractors and manufacturers in Jordan.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) facilitated a delegation from Latin America to engage with U.S. nuclear energy firms. This initiative emphasizes the growing demand for U.S. nuclear technologies in emerging markets, presenting significant procurement opportunities for domestic vendors in nuclear energy solutions.

The USITC has initiated a Section 337 investigation targeting anode materials used in batteries, following a complaint from Sila Nanotechnologies and Georgia Tech. This could lead to restrictions on imports from China, potentially altering procurement strategies for battery manufacturers and industry stakeholders.

Governor Abigail Spanberger is spearheading a trade mission to the UK, Italy, and France. The initiative aims to enhance Virginia's global economic partnerships, particularly in defense, manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals, creating procurement opportunities for local contractors.

The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service invites U.S. agribusiness exporters to apply for a trade mission to Vietnam, scheduled for November 2026. With $5.6 billion in agricultural exports to Vietnam in 2025, this initiative offers significant procurement opportunities for companies seeking to expand in Southeast Asia.

The recent Global Business Convergence Summit highlighted the vital role of MSMEs in economic stability and innovation. Attendees emphasized the potential for cross-border partnerships, providing procurement opportunities for businesses focused on sustainable development and technology integration.

The U.S. Department of State has sanctioned ten entities in Cuba under Executive Order 14404. This action restricts American transactions with these designated organizations, impacting compliance and risk management for contractors involved with Cuba.

The U.S. and Zambian governments have signed an MOU to enhance strategic commercial projects across various sectors. This collaboration will open new procurement opportunities for American companies and is aligned with Zambia's National Long-Term Vision 2030.

On July 9, 2026, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe enacted six economic development bills aimed at enhancing infrastructure protection and trade partnerships. These laws are expected to create new procurement opportunities within telecommunications, geospatial technologies, and tourism sectors, inviting collaboration with local contractors and service providers.

India's Customs (Administration of Rules of Origin) Rules, 2026 take effect July 15, 2026, impacting trade under the CETA. Importers and exporters must meet new compliance and documentation requirements to enjoy preferential tariffs, leading to enhanced scrutiny in cross-border transactions.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has suspended duty-free treatment for low-value imports, effective August 29, 2025. This change mandates enhanced data submissions and electronic processing, significantly impacting procurement strategies for businesses involved in international trade.

The U.S. and Zambia's new MOU promotes U.S. investment in key sectors such as agriculture and energy. This five-year agreement opens significant procurement avenues for U.S. contractors looking to engage in Zambia's growing markets.

Security threats in supply chains from Africa to Southeast Asia disrupt operations and increase costs. Procurement professionals are urged to enhance visibility and build coalitions to address vulnerabilities and ensure continuity.

The USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service is offering $3.675 million for the 2026 Borlaug and Cochran Fellowship Programs. This funding aims to enhance U.S. agricultural exports by fostering collaboration and training with international partners, with applications due by August 14, 2026.

The Bangladesh China Chamber of Commerce & Industry has signed two MoUs to bolster trade ties with China. These agreements with Bank of Huzhou and CCCME are set to streamline trade processes and enhance investment opportunities for Bangladeshi firms.

The U.S. Department of Labor has invoked the USMCA to review labor violations at Newmont’s facility in Mexico. This action may cause trade disruptions and underscores compliance risks for procurement professionals.

In 2025, Alabama's export economy thrived with **$23.7 billion** in goods, primarily in manufacturing. This robust growth supports **93,000 jobs** and highlights Alabama as a strategic hub for procurement and export opportunities, particularly for SMEs involved in federal contracting.

The U.S. Trade Representative has announced new tariffs of 10% to 12.5% on imports from 60 countries, including key trading partners like the UK, EU, and Canada. This initiative aims to strengthen compliance against forced labor practices, impacting procurement and supply chain operations for U.S. contractors.

The USDA has launched the Trade Reciprocity for U.S. Manufacturers and Producers (TRUMP) Mission to Argentina and Ecuador, aiming to enhance market access for American agricultural producers. This initiative offers procurement professionals opportunities for collaboration with industry representatives and emphasizes the significance of engaging in international trade support and logistics.

The EU and Mexico are finalizing a modernization of their Global Agreement, expanding access to public procurement. This move will allow Mexican companies notable opportunities in GovTech and sustainability sectors, while European firms will benefit from entering the Mexican procurement market, marking a significant shift in bilateral trade relations.