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Alexander H. Schaefer is a partner in the International Trade Group at the firm's Washington, D.C. office. Alex represents clients contending with U.S. import regulations, including the customs and trade remedies laws. He assists clients with a broad range of Customs issues, including tariff classification, import valuation, focused assessment audits, penalty proceedings, prior disclosures, reconciliation, special duty programs, and free trade agreements. In addition, Alex has represented both petitioners and respondents in a variety of trade remedy cases, including antidumping, countervailing duty, and Section 201 proceedings before the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. International Trade Commission, the U.S. Court of International Trade, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Alex is a member of the International Trade Group's duty recovery team, which helps companies identify opportunities to minimize import duty outlays and cut supply chain costs to increase profitability. Alex also works closely with the firm's Product Risk Management Group, which helps clients in a broad range of industries identify potential legal risks associated with new products and ventures as well as providing advice on risk management tactics and protocols.

Alex is a member of the bars of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the District of Columbia.

From economic sanctions to import tariffs, the incoming Trump administration has suggested it will seek to implement almost immediately significant changes in international trade policy and enforcement. In addition to these potentially seismic shifts, technological and social developments reshaping international trade rules and global supply chains are gathering speed, from the expanding adoption of blockchain

Last week, the Department of Justice filed an action against Michaels Stores on behalf of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”).  According to the complaint, between 2006 and 2010 Michaels sold glass vases which were prone to shattering in consumers’ hands and caused multiple injuries.

The complaint alleges that (1) despite receiving injury reports