International Trade and Economic Regulation

By 2026, the intersection of national security and economic security has made supply chain management a central challenge for A&D companies. Rising U.S.–China tensions, coupled with expanding trade controls, sanctions, and human rights–based restrictions, create a complex and evolving risk environment.

This program will examine:

• How forced labor restrictions can disrupt supply chains, including the risk of shipments being detained at U.S. ports.
• The scope of U.S. export controls, including restrictions on U.S.-origin goods, technology, and software—as well as items produced abroad using U.S. technology.
• The integration of human rights concerns into sanctions and trade compliance frameworks.
• Practical strategies to identify, assess, and mitigate supply chain vulnerabilities in an environment where security, compliance, and commercial imperatives are converging.

The global response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine marked an unprecedented era of transatlantic coordination, with the United States, European Union, and United Kingdom working in tandem to impose sweeping sanctions and export controls on Russia and Belarus. In some areas, EU and UK restrictions even exceeded U.S. measures in scope and enforcement.

This program will:

• Compare the structure, scope, and enforcement approaches of U.S., EU, and UK sanctions and export controls.
• Highlight areas of alignment and divergence among Western allies.
• Explore the compliance challenges faced by multinational companies navigating overlapping and sometimes conflicting regimes.
• Assess how these coordinated measures inform the future of sanctions policy, including potential responses to other geopolitical flashpoints.

The semiconductor sector remains at the center of U.S. national security policy. Since the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) issued sweeping rules in October 2022, controls on advanced chips and semiconductor manufacturing tools have continued to evolve—reshaping global supply chains and raising the stakes for compliance.

This session will cover:

• Item-based controls on advanced semiconductors, computers, and manufacturing tools.
• End-use restrictions on semiconductor fabrication, supercomputing, and related applications.
• Expanded Foreign Direct Product Rules, which extend U.S. export controls to foreign-produced items incorporating U.S. technology.
• Restrictions on U.S. persons supporting PRC-based semiconductor development and production activities.
• Practical strategies for mapping these rules onto your supply chain risk profile and preparing for future regulatory updates.

Governments worldwide are tightening their approach to foreign direct investment (FDI), with new screening mechanisms, lower thresholds, and broader definitions of “sensitive sectors.” For A&D, these changes mean that transactions—whether between OEMs, suppliers, or private equity investors—face intense scrutiny and longer regulatory timelines.

This program will:

• Provide an update on recent global FDI trends, including new rules in the U.S., EU, UK, and key Asian jurisdictions.
• Highlight the heightened focus on A&D supply chains.
• Demonstrate how to identify FDI screening requirements worldwide and anticipate potential deal obstacles.
• Offer practical strategies for planning transactions with FDI risk in mind, from early diligence to structuring considerations.