Member News

Vulcan Consulting | Vulcan View: The latest EU developments 20 January – 24 January

Donald Tusk revealed Polish Presidency priorities with focus on defence Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk addressed MEPs in Strasbourg on Wednesday (22 January), presenting Poland’s agenda for its six-month presidency of the EU Council. Under the slogan of ‘Security, Europe!’, Tusk outlined defence as the paramount theme in the EU for the next six months, given an increasingly volatile global landscape, while also touching on migration, energy, and economic resilience. Defence Mr. Tusk highlighted the unprecedented challenges facing the EU, urging a...

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Chapter News, New York Related News

New York State Governor | Governor Hochul Announces Major Digital Access Initiatives With Launch of Affordable Broadband Act and $18.5 Million ConnectALL Investment

Governor Hochul announced two major initiatives to expand affordable digital access across New York State. Governor Kathy Hochul today announced two major initiatives to expand digital access across New York State. The first initiative — Affordable Broadband Act (ABA) — has officially taken effect, making New York State the first state in the nation to require internet service providers to offer qualifying low-income households broadband service at $15 per month for 25 Mbps service or $20 for 200 Mbps service....

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Member News, Trade & TTIP Related

GDLSK | CBP Proposes Changes to Regulations For De Minimis Shipments

By Erik Smithweiss | U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has recently issued two proposed amendments to the regulations governing the clearance of “de minimis” shipments.  Under Section 321 of the Tariff Act, good valued at $800 or less (and gifts under $100) per shipment may enter the U.S. without payment of customs duties. The first proposed amendment, titled ​“Entry of Low-Value Shipments” (ELVS), would establish a dual-track entry process for de minimis shipments.  This proposal would create an ​“enhanced” entry...

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Member News, Trade & TTIP Related

PwC | US President Trump signals day one changes in global tax and trade policy

What happened?  On day one of his Administration, President Trump signed two Executive Orders (presidential directives to the executive branch, having the force of law) signaling a clear change in direction from the Biden Administration on global tax and trade policy. The first takes aim at the OECD’s two pillar project, referred to as the ‘global tax deal,’ and essentially nullifies the US’s agreement to the project. The second is a series of directions to implement ‘America First Trade Policy.’...

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Chapter News

Financial Stability Board | FSB Work Programme for 2025

The FSB’s work programme for 2025 addresses challenges including digitalisation, climate change, and the consequences of shifts in the macroeconomic and interest rate environment.In line with the FSB’s mission to promote international financial stability, our priorities for 2025 reflect challenges that are global in nature and affect the financial system as a whole, such as digitalisation and climate change. Work will continue in key areas such as non-bank financial intermediation and cross-border payments. The FSB will keep monitoring emerging...

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Chapter News

European Commission | President von der Leyen launches Global Energy Transition Forum in Davos

Today in Davos, President von der Leyen launched the Global Energy Transition Forum, together with the Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol.  At COP28, the world rallied behind the targets of tripling renewable energy and doubling energy efficiency by 2030. The deadline is approaching fast.  The Forum brings together partners from across the world, from Brazil, Canada, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to Kenya, Peru, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and many others, as...

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Member News

GDLSK | Can First-Sale Appraisement Save Your Company $20+ Million?

Since 2018, the United States has imposed and maintained nearly $80 billion in new tariffs. Importers seeking to minimize the impact of elevated tariffs have few tools available to them. However, one such tool is the “first-sale” method of appraisement. Utilizing the first sale method of appraisement, GDLSK recently helped one client save more than $20 million. Companies in virtually any industry can take advantage of the first-sale rule and GDLSK can advise whether it can work and how it...

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Member News

Arendt | Luxembourg’s Blockchain Law IV: groundbreaking new options for issuing DLT securities

On 19 December 2024, Luxembourg adopted Blockchain Law IV, which has opened up significant new opportunities to use the Luxembourg DLT framework, such as expanding this framework to include unlisted equity securities and facilitating the provision of services to issuers with additional flexibility in terms of custody arrangements. These innovations aim to encourage the financial industry to make use of blockchain and DLT in Luxembourg.   1. Background In tune with its strategy of fostering innovation and digitalisation in the financial sector,...

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Member News, Trade & TTIP Related

Jaguar Freight | Important Update: Trump Issues Tariff Memorandum

With President Trump officially back in office, the outlook for global supply chains has started to take shape—though many questions remain. While the President’s first day did not bring any immediate tariff announcements, an official memorandum (available to view here) has been issued by the White House, detailing potential actions the United States may take under existing laws to combat what are considered unfair trade practices and other barriers to U.S. commerce. The President has instructed agency leaders to review and submit...

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Chapter News

European Commission | Speech by President von der Leyen at the European Parliament Plenary on the conclusions of the European Council meeting of 19 December 2024

Thank you, President Metsola, dear Roberta, Mister President of the European Council, dear António, Honourable Members, It is a pleasure to join this Plenary debate with President Costa for the first time. And I would like to start by thanking you, dear António, for the excellent cooperation between us in the first weeks of our common mandate. We are only three weeks into 2025, but the glimpse is already there of the change that is coming to global politics. We have entered...

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