In a world where rising protectionism, sanctions and rapidly evolving regulation are becoming the norm, global trade is no longer just a matter of logistics. Tariffs, export restrictions, regulatory change or shifting supply-chain dependencies can make or break commercial success. International trade has evolved from a logistical challenge into a complex landscape of legal and strategic risks. The DLA Piper Tariffs & Trade Advisory Group in Germany supports you in transforming these risks into strategic advantages by building robust, agile and future-proof trade architectures.
Global commerce is currently witnessing a paradigm shift. Companies are no longer just optimizing for efficiency but must actively manage a dense web of tariffs, sanctions, and regulatory interventions. From the rigorous enforcement of US and EU export controls to the financial impact of the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), the upcoming comprehensive EU Customs Reform, and the intricacies of the Foreign Subsidies Regulation, the legal framework governing cross-border transactions has never been more critical to business success.
Our Approach: Interdisciplinary and Integrated: We see “Tariffs & Trade” as a holistic legal ecosystem covering all aspects of cross-border commerce. This includes customs and excise tax, foreign trade law, antitrust, commercial contracts as well as regulatory compliance. Rather than treating these as separate silos, we consider how they interconnect – from sourcing and supply chains to financing, distribution and liability frameworks. Our advisory reflects the reality that trade does not respect neat legal silos.
Global Reach, Local Precision: As a leading export nation embedded in the European Single Market, Germany is deeply involved in these global shifts. The German Tariffs & Trade Advisory Group acts as a strategic hub within DLA Piper’s global network. Thanks to our close cooperation with colleagues in the US, Canada, Australia, Asia and across the EU, we provide synchronized advice on how US export controls or sanctions, EU customs reform or Asian export restrictions impact your business. We offer both local precision and global reach.
From Reaction to Strategy: In a volatile market, reactive measures are insufficient. We don’t just help you react to new tariffs or sanctions. We help restructure supply chains to mitigate tariff exposure, advise on the opportunities and challenges when relocating manufacturing capacities, navigate foreign direct investment (FDI) controls, or draft resilient commercial contracts with commercial strategy – turning legal complexity into competitive edge.
