Effect of Boycotts on International Law - Explained
What are Boycotts?
Written by J. Mance Gordon
Updated at April 21st, 2024
- Marketing, Advertising, Sales & PR
- Accounting, Taxation, and Reporting
- Professionalism & Career Development
-
Law, Transactions, & Risk Management
Government, Legal System, Administrative Law, & Constitutional Law Legal Disputes - Civil & Criminal Law Agency Law HR, Employment, Labor, & Discrimination Business Entities, Corporate Governance & Ownership Business Transactions, Antitrust, & Securities Law Real Estate, Personal, & Intellectual Property Commercial Law: Contract, Payments, Security Interests, & Bankruptcy Consumer Protection Insurance & Risk Management Immigration Law Environmental Protection Law Inheritance, Estates, and Trusts
- Business Management & Operations
- Economics, Finance, & Analytics
What is the significance of boycotts between foreign countries?
The US issues restrictions on international business relationships through embargoes and targeted business sanctions. The US is not currently a part of an official boycott of countries or individuals. In fact, the US recognizes two prohibitions against US companies taking part in unsanctioned boycotts. These prohibitions are issued by the Department of Commerce or the Department of Treasury.
How does the Department of Commerce (DOC) participate in Boycotts?
The DOC prohibits US companies from participating in any unsanctioned boycott of other countries or its citizens. This rule specifically prohibits US companies from maintaining lists of countries with which they will not do business based upon a non-US sanctioned boycott. The DOC also prohibits discrimination in carrying on business based upon an individuals race, religion, sex or national origin.
Note: Companies who receive specific requests to take action, such as not carrying on business pursuant to a boycott, must report that request to the DOC.
How does the Department of Treasury (DOT) participate in Boycotts?
The DOT prohibits companies from participating in unsanctioned boycotts. Specifically, the DOT requires a US tax-reporting company to report on its income tax return all business activity with or in countries that actively participate in a non-sanctioned boycott of other countries, races, religions, ethnicities, etc. Carrying on business with these countries (or otherwise participating in the boycott activity) can result in the loss of certain foreign tax benefits.
Note: The DOT publishes a list of countries actively participating in non-sanctioned boycotts.
Related Topics
- What is International Law?
- What are the types of international law?
- United Nations
- United Nations Commission on International Trade law
- United Nations Conference on Trade Development
- North Atlantic Treaty Organization
- International Monetary Fund
- Other Economic Development Organizations
- World Bank
- World Trade Organization
- European Union
- What international courts exist and what are their functions?
- What are the methods of carrying on international business?
- What are the legal risks associated with carrying on international business?
- What major international agreements affect international trade?
- When is carrying on business in a foreign country prohibited by US law?
- What is the significance of boycotts between foreign countries?
- What US laws apply to limit business transactions in foreign countries?
- What regulations apply to exports from the United States?
- What are the legal limitations on importing goods into the United States?
- How are private international business agreements generally enforced?
- How do parties determine the rules, location, and method of resolving disputes?