The American construction industry continues to be shaped by the fluctuating cost and availability of materials. Early data from 2025 indicates a steady rise in material prices, driven in part by tariffs on foreign imports—some reaching as high as 50%. These increases raise concerns about potential payment disputes across the sector. This article explores
The ongoing legal battle over President Trump’s tariffs has taken another not completely unexpected turn, as a federal appeals court has decided to keep the tariffs in effect—at least for now. This decision comes amid a debate over the scope of presidential authority in trade matters, with implications for businesses, international relations and the broader
On June 4, 2025, the Trump Administration doubled tariffs on imported steel and aluminum from 25% to 50%, the same day as its deadline for trading partners to give their “best offer” in bids to avoid import tax rates on other goods from taking effect next month. The increase applies to nearly all trading partners
The ongoing legal and political saga surrounding President Donald Trump’s tariffs has taken an expected turn following the U.S. Court of International Trade’s surprise ruling earlier this week. A federal appeals court has temporarily lifted a lower court’s block on the most sweeping of Trump’s tariffs, allowing the administration to proceed with certain duties while
Yesterday, May 28, 2025 the U.S. Court of International Trade delivered a landmark decision that could reshape the landscape of American trade policy and presidential authority. The court ruled that President Trump exceeded his legal authority in imposing the current global tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). This decision not only challenges
In my most recent post to the Texas Construction Law Blog, I discussed the correlation between Incoterms and tariffs. As a refresher, Incoterms, short for International Commercial Terms, are a set of standardized trade terms published by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). First introduced in 1936 and updated periodically, Incoterms define the responsibilities
International trade is a complex web of regulations, agreements and logistics. For those whose businesses rely upon international trade two things are certain, (1) tariffs will impact your supply chain and operational costs and (2) which Incoterms are required by your contracts will greatly dictate the outcome of the tariffs. Understanding these each issue and
April 5, 2025 was a seminal day for both the construction industry and the Trump Administration. It was the day reciprocal tariffs on widely used construction materials were to go into effect. The Trump Administration’s stated goals for the reciprocal tariffs are (i) rebuilding the United States’ manufacturing base (including the defense industrial base), (ii)
A decision out of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas[1] showcases the practical challenge in the relationship between workers’ compensation and the pleading standards required to trigger insurance coverage. The underlying facts follow a familiar pattern.
Nautilus Summarized
Blazer Building Texas, LLC (“Blazer”) hired Ranger Fire, Inc. (“Ranger”) to