Member News, News

The Medical Link | The Cost-Saving Strategy Employers Are Using To Keep Benefits Intact

For many employers, health insurance renewals have started to feel like the same annual challenge: premiums go up, budgets get tighter, and employees expect the same level of coverage. Cutting benefits or shifting more costs to employees might reduce expenses in the short term, but it often creates bigger problems—lower morale, retention challenges, and frustration when employees actually need care.  That’s why more employers are turning to a smarter approach: using an HRA (Health Reimbursement Arrangement) to lower premiums while keeping the...

Read more

Member News, News, Trade & TTIP Related

Thompson Hine | USTR Releases President Trump’s 2026 Trade Policy Agenda and 2025 Annual Report

On March 2, 2026, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) delivered President Donald Trump’s 2026 Trade Policy Agenda and 2025 Annual Report to Congress. This year’s trade agenda seeks to promote U.S. interests abroad and reduce trade deficits by pursuing trade deals with other countries and strengthening domestic manufacturing. 2025 Annual Report The 2025 Annual Report provides a comprehensive overview of U.S. trade agreements, negotiations, and enforcement activities. It covers various trade initiatives, preference programs, and bilateral and multilateral engagements...

Read more

Member News, News, Trade & TTIP Related

Troutman Pepper Locke | CBP Provides Further Details on IEEPA-Related Refund Mechanism

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has submitted a series of declarations to the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) in Atmus Filtration, Inc. v. United States (Court No. 26-01259) — on March 6, March 12, and March 19 — outlining both the legal and operational framework for refunds of duties imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). These developments follow the U.S. Supreme Court’s February 20, 2026, decision, holding that IEEPA does not authorize the President to impose...

Read more

Member News, News

Fox Rothschild | Federal Reserve and Banking Agencies Announce Sweeping Overhaul of Bank Capital Rules

Key Points The Federal Reserve, FDIC and OCC jointly propose overhauling U.S. bank capital rules, replacing the 2023 Basel III Endgame proposal with a reduced-stringency framework estimated to provide $87.7 billion in system-wide CET1 relief. CET1 reductions by category: ~4.8% for GSIBs (Category I & II); ~5.2% for large regional banks (Category III & IV); ~7.8% for smaller banking organizations. Key structural reforms: AOCI inclusion mandated for Category III/IV banks (five-year phase-in from 2027); MSA capital deductions eliminated (250% risk weight substituted); market...

Read more

Member News, News, Trade & TTIP Related

Jaguar Freight | IEEPA Refund Update

The Current Status of IEEPA Refunds To quickly recap, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that IEEPA tariffs were unlawful in late February. As a result, those tariffs stopped being collected, and the U.S. Court of International Trade has since ruled that importers are entitled to refunds. Shortly after, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) indicated that its existing systems cannot process the refunds tied to the IEEPA tariffs but would begin building a new mechanism to handle them. The agency recently...

Read more

Member News, News, Trade & TTIP Related

Tradewind Finance | Export Factoring vs Bank Loans: Which Financing Option is Right for Exporters?

Exporters operating in global markets often face a familiar challenge: delivering goods today while waiting weeks or even months to receive payment.  In many industries, buyers expect suppliers to offer open-account payment terms ranging from 60 to 120 days. While these terms help buyers manage their own cash flow, they create a working capital gap for exporters who must finance production, logistics, and operating expenses before payment arrives.  To bridge this gap, companies typically rely on external financing. Two common options are traditional...

Read more

News, TRIA News

EIB | EU-Supported Emergency Medical Center and Social Housing for Displaced People Open in Central Ukraine

Two critical social infrastructure facilities have opened in the central Ukrainian city of Cherkasy, financed under the EIB’s €200 million Ukraine Early Recovery Programme. New social housing has been opened to provide temporary accommodation for around 130 people displaced by Russia’s war against Ukraine. The Regional Centre of Emergency Medical Aid and Disaster Medicine has been completed and will strengthen emergency medical services across the Cherkasy oblast. Two critical social infrastructure facilities have been inaugurated in Cherkasy, central Ukraine, with...

Read more

Chapter News, News, Trade & TTIP Related

European Parliament | MEPs Back the Lowering of Tariffs on US Agricultural and Industrial Products

Suspension clause in case of new US tariffs Sunrise clause: tariff preferences only effective when the US respects commitments Stronger protection regarding steel imports The International Trade committee adopted its position on Thursday on two proposals implementing certain tariff aspects of the EU-US Turnberry trade deal. The International Trade committee adopted its position on Thursday on two proposals implementing certain tariff aspects of the EU-US Turnberry trade deal. MEPs in the International Trade Committee adopted their position on two legislative proposals that eliminate...

Read more

Member News, News

Barquet Stege | H1-B Visa Update Newsletter (2026 Cap Season)

Overview of the H-1B Visa The H-1B visa is a temporary (nonimmigrant) visa that allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations. These roles require highly specialized knowledge and at least a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in a related field. Common industries include technology, engineering, healthcare, and business. Major Update: New Weighted Lottery System One of the most important recent changes is the shift from a purely random lottery to a weighted selection system. How It Works Instead of each applicant having an equal chance, each...

Read more

Chapter News, News, Trade & TTIP Related

ITA | Department of Commerce Announces New American AI Exports Program Phase

The U.S. Department of Commerce today announced further implementation of the American AI Exports Program with a Call for Proposals from U.S. industry-led consortia to export full-stack AI technology packages. Under President Donald J. Trump’s AI Action Plan and export directives, the Department of Commerce is implementing a full-stack AI export package promotion program to advance America’s AI leadership globally. “America’s continued global leadership in AI depends on our ability to export our AI to allies around the world,” said Under...

Read more