Attorney Bruce Thelen Quoted in Crain’s Detroit Business Article on International Trade
- Thelen, Bruce C.
- Media Mentions
Want to get our alerts?
Click “Subscribe Now” to get attorney insights on the latest developments in a range of services and industries.
Dickinson Wright Attorney Bruce Thelen, head of the firm’s international practice, was recently quoted in the article “Leveling the field or picking a fight?” published by Crain’s Detroit Business.
The article discusses the impact of legislation passed by the Michigan Senate that will give companies in Michigan an economic edge over out-of-state businesses when it comes to bidding on government contracts. The advantage would come in the form of an 8 percent premium tacked onto bids from companies outside the state for products mined in Michigan when the state weighs bid prices in awarding the contract. The measure is intended to protect a salt mining company operating in Detroit, whose executives say they aren't able to keep pace with Canadian mines on price.
If the bill becomes law it runs the risk of being challenged if a company outside the U.S. perceives the 8 percent premium as a “non-tariff barrier to trade,” said Mr. Thelen. He added that a company could seek remedies through the World Trade Organization or other trade agreements.
To read the full article, please click here.
The article discusses the impact of legislation passed by the Michigan Senate that will give companies in Michigan an economic edge over out-of-state businesses when it comes to bidding on government contracts. The advantage would come in the form of an 8 percent premium tacked onto bids from companies outside the state for products mined in Michigan when the state weighs bid prices in awarding the contract. The measure is intended to protect a salt mining company operating in Detroit, whose executives say they aren't able to keep pace with Canadian mines on price.
If the bill becomes law it runs the risk of being challenged if a company outside the U.S. perceives the 8 percent premium as a “non-tariff barrier to trade,” said Mr. Thelen. He added that a company could seek remedies through the World Trade Organization or other trade agreements.
To read the full article, please click here.
Recent Insights
- July 15, 2026 In the News Paul J. Polansky Joins Dickinson Wright Austin Office
- July 15, 2026 Media Mentions Kathleen Campbell Walker was recently quoted in a Law360 article, “Top 5 Immigration Court Rulings of 2026: Midyear Report."
- July 14, 2026 In the News Kristen Hudson Named an Official Nominee for the Austin Business Journal’s 2026 Women in Business Awards
- July 14, 2026 In the News Sara Jodka’s article, “It reads your email, files your claims, and never asks permission — The privacy law of AI agents,” was published in Reuters.
- July 10, 2026 In the News James E. Tyrrell III’s op-ed, “The Supreme Court just handed the political parties their best day in a generation,” was recently published in The Hill.
- July 10, 2026 Industry Alerts Updated TPS Expiration Dates Announced by USCIS
- July 09, 2026 In the News Andrea Arndt’s article, “Digital Resurrection: No Simple Legal Script,” was recently published in Inventors Digest.
- July 8, 2026 In the News Julia Thibault Joins Dickinson Wright Denver Office
- July 07, 2026 Podcasts DW FastTrack Podcast Episode 14: Captive Corner: Understanding Insurance Pricing