Insights

On December 19, 2025, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a $54.4 million settlement with Ceratizit USA, LLC, a distributor of tungsten carbide products, resolving allegations that the company violated the False Claims Act (FCA) by evading customs duties on products imported from China. This settlement is believed to be the largest ever customs-related FCA resolution, and this high-water mark underscores the government’s heightened enforcement focus on tariff evasion.

In a move that underscores the evolving landscape of global data governance, China announced a new initiative aimed at fostering cross-border data flows. On November 17, Chinese President Xi announced the launch of a “Global Cross-Border Data Flow Cooperation Initiative” while attending the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders meeting in Lima, Peru. The following day, the Cyberspace Administration of China released further details about the initiative, which frames China as a proponent of non-discriminatory and cooperative data policies. However, closer analysis reveals a complex interplay of geopolitical, economic, and regulatory factors behind this initiative.

As the popularity of electric bikes grows, so does the legal and trade obstacles here and abroad. In 2022, over a million e-bikes were in sold in the US. China is a large part of the bike supply chain as about 85 percent of bikes purchased in the US are manufactured in China, and many bike manufacturers rely on China for most, if not all, of their components. And while this figure is staggering, many overlook details regarding the most important component for e-bikes, the battery. With the increased focus on electric vehicles and the escalating trade war, e-bike batteries are often caught up in the mix.

The People’s Republic of China’s data protection laws have evolved rapidly in recent years, reflecting the global trend towards greater data privacy and security. The cornerstone of this legal framework has been a trio of measures: the Cybersecurity Law (CSL), the Data Security Law (DSL), and the Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL). These three laws collectively govern the whole lifecycle of data processing.

Crowell & Moring attorneys will examine the myriad of challenges that companies face when balancing efforts to comply with the export regulations of both the United States and China. We will delve into both nations’ export control regulations and provide observations on areas to watch over the next year. Our areas of focus will include:

Please join Crowell & Moring for the second of a three-part webinar series discussing the transfer of personal data and data localization laws across the globe. Attorneys from our global network of offices will provide insights into data transfers in the U.S., the UK, the EU, and Asia-Pacific.