BarbriSFCourseDetails

Course Details

This CLE course will guide counsel on the impacts of recently imposed and proposed tariffs on the energy sector and the strategies attorneys and energy producers can use to navigate the resultant challenges. The panel will discuss steps to mitigate financial and legal risks associated with tariffs, as well as supply chain issues and contractual adjustments.

Faculty

Description

President Trump recently signed executive orders imposing tariffs on almost all imports from Canada, China, and Mexico. While the tariffs on Canada and Mexico were paused for 30 days, pending those countries' adoption of measures to strengthen border security, the tariffs on China became effective Feb. 4, 2025.

According to one estimate, the U.S. imports around 40 percent of its crude oil, with nearly 70 percent of crude oil imports coming from Canada and Mexico. The U.S. power industry has become increasingly reliant on imports for critical minerals and for transmission and distribution equipment such as transformers. The storage industry relies on batteries imported from China. Additional tariffs have the potential to disrupt the energy sector's supply chains and could lead to to increased costs and operational challenges for domestic producers and suppliers.

Companies and their counsel should be proactive to minimize their commercial and legal risks and maintain smooth operations, manage costs, and fulfill contractual obligations. This includes reassessing supply chains, exploring alternative sourcing strategies, and understanding the legal implications of tariffs on existing agreements.

Listen as our authoritative panel examines the legal framework supporting the tariffs and the potential for challenges to the tariffs, along with the impacts of the tariffs on the U.S. energy sector. The panel will also address potential strategies for businesses in the energy sector to explore.

Outline

  1. Introduction
    • Overview of the recent tariff changes and their significance to the energy sector
    • U.S. energy sector and its supply chain
  2. Legal framework
    • International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)
    • Significance of using IEEPA rather than Section 301 as the basis for the tariff orders
  3. Impact on the energy sector
    • Analysis of how tariffs affect energy producers and the supply chain
    • Affected products and materials
    • International reactions and trade relations
  4. Strategies for businesses
    • Supply chain mapping: identifying vulnerabilities and risks
    • Federal advocacy and lobbying: seeking exemptions and exclusions
    • Contractual adjustments: updating contracts to manage tariff risks
    • Reducing global supply chain risks: creating domestic manufacturing capability
    • Utilizing trade law features: exploring foreign trade zones and duty drawbacks

Benefits

The panel will address these and other key issues:

  • How recent tariffs on Canada, China, and Mexico may impact the U.S. energy sector
  • The potential for legal challenges to the tariffs
  • Strategies for minimizing financial and legal risks
  • Navigating contractual challenges
  • Practical business strategies for managing disruptions