New Bill Cracks Down on Trade-Related Crimes: $20 Million Boost for DOJ Task Force

The "Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act of 2025" is all about tightening the screws on illegal trade practices. Basically, it's giving the Department of Justice (DOJ) a bigger stick and more resources to go after companies and individuals dodging import/export fees or breaking trade rules.

Cracking Down on Trade Cheats

This bill sets up a dedicated task force within the DOJ's Criminal Division, specifically focused on trade-related crimes. Think of things like smuggling, trade-based money laundering, or dodging tariffs – anything that messes with fair competition and legal imports/exports. This isn't just about paperwork; it covers crimes impacting health, safety, and the economy, as defined under laws like the Tariff Act of 1930 and the Trade Act of 1974 (SEC. 2).

Within 120 days of getting funded, this new task force gets rolling (SEC. 3). The Attorney General is also tasked with hiring more criminal trial attorneys and support staff. They're meant to be the go-to experts, working with agencies like Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection (SEC. 4).

Real-World Radar

So, how might this play out? Imagine a company consistently underreporting the value of imported goods to avoid paying full duties. Under this law, the DOJ could hit them harder, not just with fines but potentially with criminal charges. Or, consider a business importing products that don't meet U.S. safety standards. This bill aims to give law enforcement more teeth to crack down on those violations.

It's not just about punishing offenders. The bill also pushes for training and partnerships, both within the U.S. and internationally (SEC. 4). The idea is to build up expertise and resources across the board to tackle these often-complex crimes.

Show Me the Money (and Results)

To make all this happen, the bill authorizes $20 million for the Attorney General in fiscal year 2026 (SEC. 6). At least 80% of that goes directly to the Criminal Division for prosecuting trade crimes – salaries, training, and enforcement operations. The rest can be used by the DOJ for related civil enforcement and supporting other parts of the department that deal with trade crime prosecution. The interesting thing that this money is available until it is used up, it is not a 'use it or lose it' scenario. (SEC. 6)

And to keep things transparent, the Attorney General has to report back to Congress annually (SEC. 5). These reports will include stats on trade-related crime prosecutions, how the money was spent, and whether more funding is needed. The first report is due within a year of the Act's passage, with follow-ups every February 1st after that.

Potential Roadblocks

While the goal is to protect American businesses and workers, there are always potential challenges. One concern could be making sure legitimate trade doesn't get tangled up in overly aggressive enforcement. Another is ensuring this new task force works efficiently with existing agencies, avoiding duplication of effort. It's also crucial that the focus remains on genuine criminal activity, not just minor paperwork errors.