Call of Duties: New U.S. Trade Fraud Task Force Signals Increased Tariff Enforcement is Coming
On August 29, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced their partnership on the cross-agency Trade Fraud Task Force. Per DOJ’s press release, the Task Force will bring robust enforcement against importers and other parties that seek to defraud the United States.
Tariff Evasion Is Within DOJ’s Crosshairs: Potential Criminal and Civil Consequences for Noncompliance With Increased U.S. Tariffs
The first six months of the current Trump administration have made it clear that tariffs are here to stay and that noncompliance — intentional or otherwise — will be subject to potentially significant criminal and civil liability. Indeed, the administration has committed to an August 1, 2025, deadline for new country-specific tariffs to begin. The scale, speed, and complexity of the changes in the U.S. tariff landscape over the previous six months (which will likely continue) has created an environment ripe for noncompliance. (more…)