Global Scans · Legal · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Substantive regulatory change is likely to happen in the next decade as a result of the recent U.S. Presidential election, Brexit and efforts to reduce the impacts of climate change, increase trade and reduce bureaucracy while legislating for new forms of technological advancement such as robots, driverless cars and drones.

• [New] Under new US laws, Australian drugmakers that do not build new factories in America and cut their prices for US consumers will be hit with 100% tariffs. SBS News
• [New] As of early 2026, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects a fiscal year 2026 deficit of roughly $1.9 trillion under current law, before accounting for any additional conflict-related appropriations. / USA First Business Bank
• [New] If the federal framework falls, the US could fragment into a patchwork of state regulations: some strong (California), some weak (Texas). youth4planet
• [New] Christians across Quebec are about to face a new legal landscape on Good Friday, only a day after the provincial legislature adopted a law that could crack down on their annual Way of the Cross processions. GX94 Radio - Now That's Country! | Harvard Media
• [New] The regulation of, and litigation over, ultra-processed foods is expected to gain traction in 2026. Informed Insurance
• [New] As PFAS become subject to increased regulation in the United States, European Union and UK, we anticipate more related injury and environmental claims. Informed Insurance
• [New] Landmark climate advisory opinions issued in 2025 will prompt both regulation and litigation targeted at corporates in 2026. Informed Insurance
• [New] From autonomous agents and open-source models to global regulation and billion-dollar investments, the decisions made in 2026 will shape the AI landscape for years to come. FinTechGrid
• [New] Tesla plans to launch the public beta of its ride-hailing app in select, regulation-friendly US cities (likely Austin and Las Vegas) by late Q3 or early Q4 of 2026. TESMAG
• [New] States are paying contractors such as Deloitte, Accenture, and Optum millions of dollars to help them comply with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act - a law that will strip safety-net health and food benefits from millions. KFF Health News
• [New] BaFin is deepening its reviews of physical climate risks (notably for non-life insurers and regionally concentrated banks), stepping up greenwashing controls and preparing to enforce sustainability reporting under the German CSRD implementation law. PwC Legal Germany
• [New] The drive to codify company and civil law will make doing business easier in Saudi Arabia. BTI 2026
• [New] Saudi Arabia is undergoing a significant transformation in its legal system, driven by efforts to codify laws as part of its broader Vision 2030 strategy. BTI 2026
• [New] Community banks with $850 million or more in assets will soon need to comply with new open banking regulation, though smaller institutions might still want to prepare for data sharing if their customers start demanding it. ICBA.org
• [New] California AB 2563 would clarify that the definition of sex for purposes of antidiscrimination law includes any actual or perceived characteristics related to sex. JD Supra
• [New] The proposed TRUMP AMERICA AI Act includes federal preemption provisions that could override state-level AI regulations in California, Colorado, and elsewhere. Asanify
• [New] Companies warn that further delays or changes would prolong legal uncertainty, undermine investments already made in compliance and weaken the EU's credibility as a global standard-setter. Business for Nature
• [New] The New York City Council is poised to pass legislation aimed at curbing disruptive protests outside synagogues, as officials weigh Jewish security concerns against free speech protections for pro-Palestinian and progressive activists. Counter Extremism Project
• [New] Populist politicians across multiple continents have adopted a playbook of bypassing traditional media entirely, giving interviews to sympathetic podcasters, hosting their own YouTube channels, and using legal threats to intimidate journalists. Sophie Pomme
• [New] Legal disruption in the US offshore wind sector spilled into the project logistics chain, with stop-work orders and court battles leaving cargoes in limbo and exposing gaps in contractual risk allocation. Heavy Lift & Project Forwarding International
• [New] The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission is amending its regulations by adding a risk-informed, performance-based, and technology-inclusive regulatory framework for commercial nuclear plants in response to the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act. Federal Register
• [New] Most countries expect to consolidate comprehensive legal frameworks between 2025 and 2026, partly in response to recommendations from the Financial Action Task Force. MEXC
• [New] More autonomous supply chains will require new governance models, with CSCOs taking partial responsibility for overseeing AI-enabled decision making and ensuring compliance with emerging laws and notable regulatory developments worldwide. Gartner

Last updated: 07 April 2026