Key facts
- The United States has urged the European Union to amend its corporate sustainability and reporting laws.
- U.S. Ambassador to the EU Andrew Puzder stated the EU should honor trade commitments regarding non-tariff barriers.
- Washington claims EU regulations unduly restrict transatlantic trade and unfairly burden American companies.
- Canada is seeking a trade agreement with the U.S. before an August 19 deadline for new tariffs.
- Brazil has initiated a process for retaliatory tariffs against the United States.
- Brazil's action follows U.S. tariffs on some Brazilian goods.
- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security extended a Jones Act waiver for 90 days.
- The Jones Act waiver begins August 17, 2026.
- The waiver allows foreign-flagged vessels to move certain cargoes between U.S. ports.
- Revised compliance rules and new application procedures are required for the waiver.
The United States has called on the European Union to amend its laws concerning corporate sustainability due diligence and reporting, asserting that these regulations unduly restrict transatlantic trade. U.S. Ambassador to the EU Andrew Puzder stated that the bloc should honor commitments made during trade talks to address non-tariff barriers. He further indicated that the EU has not fully addressed U.S. concerns regarding trade restrictions stemming from these regulations. The U.S. has threatened to take action against the European Union unless Brussels revises its environmental and human rights regulations, which Washington claims unfairly burden American companies.
In parallel, Canada is also aiming to secure a trade agreement with the U.S. before the August 19 deadline, by which new tariffs are set to take effect. A Canadian government source indicated that negotiations with the U.S. are progressing well, with Canadian officials meeting their U.S. counterparts to reach a deal. Separately, Brazil's government has initiated a process that could lead to reciprocal measures against the United States. This move follows U.S. tariffs on some Brazilian goods, which Brazil considers unjustified.
Additionally, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has approved a second 90-day extension of a Jones Act waiver. This waiver permits certain cargoes to be transported on foreign-flagged vessels between U.S. ports under revised conditions. The extension is set to begin on August 17, 2026, and necessitates new application procedures for compliance. The U.S. government's actions highlight ongoing trade tensions and negotiations across multiple international fronts, involving regulatory disputes, tariff threats, and logistical waivers.