Member News, News

Wilson Sonsini | 2026 Year in Preview: European Digital Regulatory Developments for Companies to Watch Out For

January 8, 2026 As we ring in the new year, we want to make you aware of key issues that we expect lawmakers and regulators to focus on in the months ahead. Below are the top European digital regulatory issues to watch out for in 2026: European lawmakers will debate the relaxation of existing digital regulations. In November 2025, the European Commission (EC) published proposals to simplify the EU’s legal framework for data processing and AI, kickstarting a legislative process that will extend...

Read more

Member News, News, Trade & TTIP Related

Troutman Pepper Locke | CBP Moving to Fully Electronic Refunds: What Importers Need to Know Now

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued an interim final rule (the Rule) that will fundamentally change how customs refunds are paid. Effective February 6, 2026, CBP will, with limited exceptions, stop issuing paper refund checks and instead pay all refunds electronically via Automated Clearing House (ACH). The Rule implements federal law requiring electronic federal payments and aligns with Executive Order 14247, which requires that all federal payments and collections move away from paper checks and be conducted electronically. Comments...

Read more

Member News, News

Loyens & Loeff | EU Tax Alert – Edition 213

The new edition of the EU Tax Alert is available. With this publication we would like to keep you informed about the latest developments on EU tax law. We have summarized the highlights of this edition below. European Commission opens public consultation on possible recast of the DAC On 16 December 2025, the European Commission opened a public consultation on a possible legislative proposal to recast the Directive on Administrative Cooperation (2011/16) (DAC). The consultation targets a broad range of stakeholders...

Read more

Member News, News

Troutman Pepper Locke | Beyond the 50 Percent Rule: OFAC’s Recent Private Equity Enforcement Action Shows Why Ignoring Indirect Sanctions Risk Can Be Costly

Overview The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) recently announced an $11.5 million settlement of an enforcement action against a U.S.-based private equity and infrastructure investment firm (the firm) for violations of U.S. sanctions in connection with an investment indirectly backed by a sanctioned individual. The action provides important guidance on OFAC’s expectations regarding ownership, control, and indirect involvement by sanctioned persons, as well as the limits of relying on outside counsel when material facts are not...

Read more

TRIA News

DFC | DFC Announces Launch of Online Application Portal for U.S.-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) today announced the launch of its new online portal for applicants to submit projects to the U.S.-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund (URIF). This follows December’s announcement that the fund is fully operational and poised to start underwriting its first investments in 2026. “DFC is excited to begin 2026 with the launch of the URIF application portal. The fund is ready to deploy investments that will advance shared economic security and prosperity for...

Read more

News, TRIA News

DFC | DFC CEO Ben Black Signs Loan Agreement for Lobito Atlantic Railway, Securing Critical Minerals for Mutual U.S.–Africa Benefit

Washington, D.C.– The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) held a greatly anticipated signing ceremony highlighting the financial close for the Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR). This important milestone underscores the United States’ commitment to advance strategic infrastructure that promotes regional trade, mutual economic growth, and long-term U.S.-Africa cooperation. CEO Ben Black was accompanied by Assistant Secretary of State for Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs Caleb Orr, Angola’s Minister of Transportation Ricardo D’Abreu, Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA) Group...

Read more

Chapter News, Member News, News, Trade & TTIP Related

EIB | How are EU and US firms Navigating Higher Tariffs?

Tariffs and trade disruptions dominated headlines in 2025. European firms rely heavily on global trade – it represents about half of EU output. Despite that, European businesses are not radically overhauling their globalised approach. Instead, they are investing to make their supply chains more efficient and resilient. US firms are a different story. While they rely less on global trade (it represents roughly one-quarter of output), new tariffs caused them to reduce imports and diversify the countries they import from....

Read more

Member News, News

Wilson Sonsini | Trump Administration Issues Executive Order on National AI Policy and Deregulation

On December 11, 2025, the White House issued an Executive Order (EO), “Ensuring a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence,” that establishes a new federal policy on artificial intelligence (AI). The EO states that it is “the policy of the United States to sustain and enhance the United States’ global AI dominance through a minimally burdensome national policy framework for AI.” The EO asserts that leadership in AI is critical to U.S. national and economic security and dominance and...

Read more

News, TRIA News

DFC | DFC Strengthens Strategic Partnerships with the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda to Bolster Supply Chain Security and Economic Growth

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) today announced two Letters of Interest (LOIs) which will deepen strategic U.S. partnerships with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda to advance economic growth, strengthen supply chain resilience, and bolster mutual security and prosperity. The first LOI is focused on a proposed DFC equity investment in a joint venture between Gécamines SA, the DRC’s state-owned mining enterprise, and Mercuria Energy Trading, a leading global commodities group. The partnership...

Read more

Member News, News, TRIA News

EIB | EIB Global and EU, Under the Global Gateway Initiative, Support Wind Farm Expansion in Cabo Verde

€39 million EIB loan under the Global Gateway Initiative for the expansion of a landmark renewable energy project The new wind turbines and battery system inaugurated today are part of the wind farm expansion, which is expected to generate 30% of the country’s electricity The investment will reduce the country’s dependence on imported fossil fuels and strengthen energy security Today, new wind turbines and a battery system were inaugurated in Cabo Verde, thanks to additional financing of more than...

Read more