Member News

Proposed Border Tax Adjustments Risk Violating WTO Rules

Fearful that the punitive tariffs threatened by President Donald Trump would prompt a global backlash against US trade, including a flood of successful lawsuits against the United States in the World Trade Organization, many are urging the new President to support instead the border tax adjustments that House Republicans are reportedly moving ahead aggressively to try to enact. Speaker Paul Ryan has said that imposing border adjustments as a part of corporate tax reform is a better way than tariffs...

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Chapter News

After Ceta: the EU trade agreements that are in the pipeline

The international trade committee votes on 24 January on the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement or Ceta, but this free trade agreement with Canada is far from the only deal the EU is working on. Various deals are currently being negotiated right across the globe, but they can only enter into force if the European Parliament approves them. Read on for an overview of the negotiations in progress and an explanation of how the process works. Types of agreements The EU has...

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Chapter News, New York Related News

Mayor De Blasio Appoints Maria Torres-Springer Next Commissioner For Department of Housing Preservation And Development And James Patchett President & CEO Of New York City Economic Development Corporation

Housing Commissioner Vicki Been will return to academia after securing the most affordable housing of any administration since 1989 Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced Maria Torres-Springer will serve as the next Commissioner of the Department of Housing Preservation and Development when its current commissioner, Vicki Been, returns to teaching at New York University. The mayor is also appointing James Patchett as President and CEO of the New York City Economic Development Corporation.   The City announced last week that under Been’s...

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Member News

Brexit relevant? EU competence in free trade agreements – AG Sharpston opinion

On December 21 2016, AG Sharpston issued an opinion that is regarded as an important indicator with respect to trade agreements that will have to be entered into between the EU and the UK after a Brexit. The opinion related to the Free Trade Agreement between the EU and Singapore (the ‘EUSFTA’), which was initiated in September 2013. The EUSFTA is destined to be an agreement between the EU and the Republic of Singapore, without participation of the Member States....

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Chapter News

Public Consultation on the Capital Markets Union Mid-term review

Public Consultation on the Capital Markets Union Mid-term review 1. What is the Capital Markets Union (CMU)? The Commission's top priority is to strengthen Europe's economy and stimulate investment to create jobs. The EUR 315 billion Investment Plan for Europe helped to kick-start that process. We need stronger capital markets to strengthen investment in the long term. These would provide new sources of funding for business and entrepreneurs, help increase options for savers and make the economy more resilient. That is...

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Chapter News

In Davos, discussing investment disputes

Yesterday, I travelled to Davos in Switzerland for the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum. I'm here in this extraordinary setting, in the midst of the Swiss Alps, to discuss the future of global trade and investment policy. Davos is an excellent opportunity to exchange ideas and to hear different perspectives on the global issues facing us all. I'm participating in a number of discussions and seminars to address the year's most pressing challenges, and to consider what would...

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Member News

Practical Implications of the High-Skilled Workers Regulation

In a previous article, we summarized the key provisions of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulation, “Retention of EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 Immigrant Workers and Program Improvements Affecting High-Skilled Nonimmigrant Workers,” which went into effect on January 17, 2017. In this article, we analyze the key provisions and the practical implications for employers and employees in further detail. 1. Retention of Priority Dates The regulation clarifies that an employee retains his or her priority date immediately upon approval of...

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Member News

Raising US Venture Capital as a Non-US Startup

We focused in a recent article on key terms and concepts of which to be aware when negotiating US term sheets. Frequently, however, we’re asked for general advice on how non-US emerging companies initially can attract potential US investors. Our first five tips are below; the next five will be included in a forthcoming article. You can also check out this video for a preview of the full list. The Threshold Question Before seeking US capital, non-US founders should ask themselves why...

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Member News

WTCA Appoints New Chief Financial Officer

NEW YORK, NY, USA - World Trade Centers Association, Inc. (WTCA) is proud to announce that it has named Jennifer Guerrero as its Chief Financial Officer, and the most recent addition to its senior leadership team at Headquarters. “Bringing Jennifer onboard is a key moment for us as we continue to ramp up for what we are certain will be an important time for our Association,” said Scott Ferguson, Chief Executive Officer. “In 2017 and beyond Jennifer will help us remain...

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Member News

New Double Tax Treaty signed between Montenegro and Portugal

Montenegro has concluded double taxation treaties with more than 35 countries, and this number continues to grow. The most recently signed treaty is the one concluded with Montenegro. The agreement affects persons who are residents of one or both of the contracting states and applies to the Portuguese personal income tax, corporate tax and surtax as well as to the Montenegrin personal income tax and corporate tax. The agreement stipulates that dividends paid by a resident of one contracting state to...

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