No doubt about it. One of the hottest areas in law and lobbying in D.C. for the next four years will be tariffs and trade.  (Once a backwater of policy issues in Washington.) The domestic and global landscape is about to be changed greatly — greater chaos and unpredictability. More focus on the U.S. domestic economy and national security. The problem is this will generate a great deal more politicalization and rise of lawyers and lobbyists trying to make deals in any which way. One loser will certainly be the formulation and implementation of sound foreign policy.

“Law firms that thrived in the heavy regulatory environment of the Biden administration are quickly pivoting to capitalize on a host of different opportunities presented by a second Trump presidency …. Firms are being inundated by clients calling about Trump’s proposed policy shifts, asking how new tariffs will disrupt supply chains, whether relaxed antitrust and financial enforcement will spur deal activity ….. Trade is among the areas where demand for counsel is increasing quickly. With Trump pledging that he will impose tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China, firms are handling concerns about supply-chain disruptions and restrictions companies might encounter because of the tariffs. Top firms across the U.S. are also bracing for major changes in the antitrust landscape.” “Law Firms, Trade / Tariffs & Trump Landscape.” Wall Street Journal (Jan. 8, 2025).