In the Headlines
August 8, 2025
Lawyers Warn Canadian Companies Face Higher Scrutiny Following U.S. DOJ's New Focus on Tariff Evasion
Canadian Lawyer Magazine
Litigation attorney Ashley Akers was quoted in a Canadian Lawyer Magazine about the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) renewed focus on trade fraud and tariff evasion, including the rebranding and expansion of a Criminal Division unit to prioritize these cases. The article explained that Canadian companies engaged in cross-border trade should prepare for heightened scrutiny from U.S. customs officials and prosecutors, with increased investigations, potential port delays and additional inquiries from brokers. Practitioners interviewed recommend proactive compliance measures such as supply chain reviews, records maintenance and customs training. Ms. Akers added that businesses should anticipate more government outreach and disruption at the border as enforcement ramps up.
"I think we're just going to see a huge increase in the number of investigations," she said. "Companies might be getting alerted [because] their products are being held up at the port of entry. Or maybe they're getting questions from [U.S. Customs and Border Protection]. Maybe their brokers are giving them more questions because they're getting reached out to by the government."
READ: Lawyers Warn Canadian Companies Face Higher Scrutiny Following U.S. DOJ's New Focus on Tariff Evasion
"I think we're just going to see a huge increase in the number of investigations," she said. "Companies might be getting alerted [because] their products are being held up at the port of entry. Or maybe they're getting questions from [U.S. Customs and Border Protection]. Maybe their brokers are giving them more questions because they're getting reached out to by the government."
READ: Lawyers Warn Canadian Companies Face Higher Scrutiny Following U.S. DOJ's New Focus on Tariff Evasion