On January 15, 2026, the United States and Taiwan agreed to a trade deal to establish “a strategic economic partnership … to decisively strengthen U.S. domestic semiconductor supply chains and secure America’s technological and industrial leadership.” While the text and full terms of the trade deal were not released, the Department of Commerce released a fact
International
Covington’s Guide to Ballot Measures
More than one billion dollars were spent in 2024 elections supporting or opposing state and local ballot measures. With high-profile and contentious issues expected to be on the ballot, such as congressional redistricting, AI regulation, minimum wage increases, and more, that number promises to be even larger in 2026. As state legislatures become more polarized…
House Passes Remote Access Security Act to Limit Adversaries’ Remote Access to Critical Technology
On January 12, 2026, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelming passed (369-22) the Remote Access Security Act, modernizing U.S. export controls to address foreign adversaries’ remote access to controlled technologies through cloud computing services.
Currently, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) does not consider the provision of cloud computing…
Germany: What to expect in 2026
In 2026, new legislation will be introduced into German employment law bringing significant changes for Human Resources Managers to be aware of.
New legislation coming into force
Social insurance calculation factors
The factors for calculating the levels in the social insurance system were updated on 1 January 2026. The updated rates and limits can be…
A New Milestone in China’s Rule-Based Opening-Up and Trade-Related IP Governance-A Brief Analysis on 2025 Revision of China’s Foreign Trade Law
I. Introduction
On December 27, 2025, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China promulgated the newly revised Foreign Trade Law, which will take effect on March 1, 2026 (the “2025 FTL”). This legislative act marks a pivotal moment in China’s legal framework governing its economic interactions with the…
AI Patent Outlook for 2026
After years of resistance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) toward AI patent applications, the patent outlook for AI-related inventions in 2026 appears to be promising thanks to recent changes at the USPTO under Director John A. Squires.
On Sept. 22, 2025, the USPTO swore in Squires as its 60th director. Since…
International Trade & Supply Chain Law: Download Our 2025 Year in Review & 2026 Outlook
2025 marked a turning point for international trade, with sweeping tariffs, regulatory shifts, and supply chain upheaval reshaping the global business landscape.
Husch Blackwell’s 7th annual report unpacks the year’s most consequential developments and offers practical guidance for importers, exporters, manufacturers, and logistics providers navigating a rapidly changing environment.
The report provides actionable insights on:
- How
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National Commission calls for evidence on the regulation of AI in healthcare
The following piece was also published here on 1 Crown Office Row’s Quarterly Medical Law Review.
AI is set to transform and disrupt the way in which healthcare is delivered. The Government’s 10-year health plan for England commits the NHS to becoming “the most AI-enabled healthcare system in the world”, supported by the delivery of…
IAPL: UK: Free Speech Union legal chief says he was targeted by Chinese spies pretending to be researchers
The Free Speech Union’s top lawyer has claimed he was targeted by Chinese spies pretending to be researchers. Bryn Harris, the chief legal counsel at the FSU, suspects he was the target of a ‘China capture’ campaign after he began receiving emails from supposed computer and artificial intelligence researchers. Speaking to The Times, Mr Harris said he knew something…
New York Governor Signs Frontier AI Safety Legislation
On December 19, New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D) signed the Responsible AI Safety & Education (“RAISE”) Act into law, making New York the second state in the nation to codify public safety disclosure and reporting requirements for developers of frontier AI models. Prior to signing, Governor Hochul secured several commitments from the legislature to…
