EACC & Member News

Members and friends braved Miami’s legendary evening traffic to join EACC Florida and Cozen O’Connor on Thursday, November 20, for our Beaujolais Nouveau Day Business Mixer. The event took place in the elegant lobby of the Southeast Financial Center, graciously hosted by President’s Circle Member Cozen O’Connor. Guests enjoyed lively conversation and delicious bites while being among the first to taste the Beaujolais Nouveau 2025. Following brief remarks by EACC Florida Executive Director Christina Sleszynska and EACC Florida Vice-President Scott Bettridge, our host for the evening, Sarah McCartan of Wine by Sarah, captivated attendees with a fascinating overview of the history of Beaujolais Nouveau, its cultural and culinary significance in France and across Europe, and how it has grown into a celebrated tradition in the United States—businesswise and beyond. She also guided guests through tasting notes of this year’s vintage. One particularly striking insight: only a few weeks – typically 6 to 8 – separate the grape harvest and the wine’s release each year on the third Thursday of November. Attendees widely agreed that the 2025 vintage surpasses last year’s and promises to pair beautifully with your Thanksgiving turkey. And with that—let the holiday season begin!

In short: busy, dynamic, exceptionally well organized, and buzzing with energy. This year’s edition of transport logistic, air cargo & project cargo Americas—organized by Messe München at the Miami Beach Convention Center—brought together a remarkable concentration of supply chain, logistics, and international trade professionals. One fun behind-the-scenes detail: Trade Show Director Robert Schoenberger from Messe München often paused to listen to the crowd, saying he could judge attendance and engagement by the volume of conversation alone—and by that measure, the show was a clear success. EACC Florida at the Trade Show EACC Florida was delighted to be a part of the event, organized by Messe München—an EACC Florida Member—from November 11–13, 2025. EACC Florida participated with a booth and two seminars as part of the trade show’s official program. We were also honored to be represented at the official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, where EACC Florida President Alan Sutin (Greenberg Traurig) and Executive Director Christina Sleszynska joined Messe München leadership and distinguished guests to formally open the trade show. **Day 1 Seminar: Transatlantic Trade in Turbulent Times – Navigating Tariffs, Policy Shifts & Supply Chain Realities Moderated by Jodi Ader, Senior Manager, Trade & Tariff Advisory Services at RSM US, the panel featured: Emmanuel Desbats, Vice-President Global Accounts – Clasquin Micah Myers, Member – Cozen O’Connor Antonio Teixeira, CEO – PicAdvanced The conversation explored today’s rapidly shifting transatlantic landscape, from tariffs and compliance to supply chain resiliency and policy impacts. **Day 2 Seminar: FDI Investment into Latin America & the Caribbean – Challenges, Opportunities & Miami as a Beacon for the “other” Transatlantic Relationship. Moderated by Antonio Pena, Co-Chair Latin America Practice and Shareholder at Greenberg Traurig’s Miami office, the discussion featured: Justen Ghwee, Director, International Tax – Kaufman Rossin Javier Yraola, Trade Commissioner of Spain in Miami – ICEX This engaging conversation examined the evolving environment for foreign direct investment across the LAC region and highlighted Miami’s growing role as a strategic gateway. Special Thanks Warm thanks to our leadership and Task Force members for supporting EACC Florida’s presence throughout the show: Alan Sutin – President, EACC Florida, Greenberg Traurig Scott Bettridge – Vice-President, EACC Florida, Cozen O’Connor Emmanuel Desbats – Clasquin John Gargaro – RAF Solutions Their time at the booth helped us welcome visitors, answer questions, and share the mission and activities of the Chamber. Thank You to All Who Visited Us Finally, a heartfelt thank you to all Members, Friends, and attendees who stopped by the EACC Florida booth to connect, say hello, or learn more about our programs. Your engagement is what makes our transatlantic community thrive.

On Monday, November 3rd, EACC Florida—together with the World Trade Center Miami, the Miami-Dade Beacon Council and Greenberg Traurig—was honored to host a private, invitation-only luncheon featuring Guest of Honor H.E. Jovita Neliupšienė, EU Ambassador to the United States. The event brought together a distinguished delegation of Ambassadors and senior diplomats from 14 EU Member States, alongside representatives from key industries, economic development organizations, and several European binational chambers of commerce active in South Florida. EU Member States represented at Ambassador, Deputy Chief of Mission, or Consul General level included Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, and the Slovak Republic—together accounting for more than 46% of the EU’s GDP. This marked the first time that the EU Ambassador and such a large group of senior European diplomats from across the continent visited the Sunshine State. During their South Florida program, the delegation also met with Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, members of Congress and the U.S. Senate, eMerge Americas leadership, participated in a conference at FIU, and attended a reception jointly hosted by the EU Ambassador and Belen Alfaro, Consul General of Spain. Following two days in Miami, the group continued to Tallahassee for a series of high-level meetings. The luncheon program opened with welcoming remarks from Presenting Sponsors and Hosts: Christina Sleszynska, Executive Director, EACC Florida Alan Sutin, President of EACC Florida and Host at Greenberg Traurig Ivan Barrios, President & CEO, World Trade Center Miami Rodrick Miller, President & CEO, Miami-Dade Beacon Council Ambassador Neliupšienė then delivered keynote remarks addressing key priorities and challenges shaping transatlantic business and trade, including: Strategic priorities in trade, technology, and security Supply chain resilience, especially in transport, logistics, energy, and advanced manufacturing EU–US cooperation on climate action, the energy transition, and digital innovation Opportunities to deepen the EU’s engagement with regional economies such as Florida How the EU is working to counter perceptions of being overregulated, slow to innovate, or overly protectionist After lunch, the European Ambassadors participated in a lively and engaging Q&A session moderated by Jaret Davis, Senior Vice President at Greenberg Traurig. Audience questions touched on topics such as hurricane resilience, expanding air connectivity between Europe and Miami, opportunities for deeper collaboration in the maritime and defense-technology sectors, and the growing interest in German-style apprenticeship programs to strengthen Florida’s talent pipeline. Dr. Victor Lozinski, Founder and Chairman of LeverX, also shared personal insights into why relocating his company’s global headquarters from Silicon Valley to Miami has proven to be one of his best strategic decisions. Local attendees spoke passionately about Miami’s diversity, dynamism, and rapidly expanding position as a global business hub and key gateway for trade and investment between Europe, the United States, and Latin America. Their enthusiasm may have surprised some visiting diplomats, but the message was unmistakable: while many cities aspire to be the next “epicenter of the universe,” Miami is steadily building its case to become the epicenter of the United States. European companies are warmly encouraged to visit Miami, experience its momentum firsthand, and explore the many business opportunities the Sunshine State offers as a gateway to the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean. EACC Florida warmly thanks the following organizations for their support: Presenting Sponsors: World Trade Center Miami and Miami Dade Beacon Council Host: Greenberg Traurig Supporting Sponsor: LeverX

Baby boomers are set to give a staggering $124 trillion through 2048 to heirs, according to market researcher Cerulli Advisors in a 2024 report. But are the next generations prepared to accept it or will they become “shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations”? That depends on the work that both givers and receivers do before the handoff, experts say. Without proper communication, guidance and planning, wealth and legacies can be lost to taxes, squandering, conflicts or simply forgotten. A 20-year research project on 3,200 families by wealth consultancy Williams Group shows 70% of wealthy families lose their wealth by the second generation, and 90% by the third. Read more. Compliments Kaufman Rossin

On Tuesday, September 23, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) introducing a weighted H-1B Cap selection process favoring unique beneficiaries. This weighted selection process will replace the current random lottery system. Under the weighted H-1B cap selection process, beneficiaries would be entered into the H-1B selection pool in a weighted manner based on the wage offered by their prospective employer. Read more. Compliments Cozen O’Connor

President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) into law on July 4, bringing sweeping tax changes for businesses. The legislation builds on key provisions from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), while introducing several new benefits aimed at reducing business tax burdens and encouraging investment, manufacturing, and innovation. As regulatory standards evolve under the OBBBA, companies across the U.S., transatlantic companies, and others operating internationally face new compliance challenges and opportunities. Here, we examine both the law’s domestic and cross-border implications and highlight key considerations for global businesses. Read more. Compliments Mowery & Schoenfeld

Revision of the current legislation has been steered by issues that have arisen in recent years, including concerns with antimicrobial resistance and supply chain security, tested to the extreme during the COVID-19 pandemic, where patient access to medicines was a particular concern. Read more. Compliments Squire Patton Boggs

The EU Data Act (Regulation (EU) 2023/2854) introduces a comprehensive framework to enhance data portability and reduce vendor lock-in across the EU digital economy. One impactful component is the cloud switching regime (Chapter VI), which establishes broad obligations to facilitate switching between “data processing services.” For providers of cloud-based services (such as Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS)), these rules may present contractual, technical, and commercial challenges. Read more. Compliments Greenberg Traurig

EACC Florida is delighted to announce its designation as an International Partner of the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), the world’s largest support network for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with international ambitions. With EACC Cincinnati, EACC Carolinas, EACC New York and EACC Texas also active as International Partners of the EEN, the United States network of EACC chapters provides European companies with broad geographic reach and opportunity for local engagement across the country. What is the EEN? Established by the European Commission, the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) helps SMEs grow and innovate internationally. With 600+ member organizations including chambers of commerce, trade and investment agencies, innovation hubs, and research institutions in over 60 countries, the EEN is the largest platform of its kind. How will EACC Florida Contribute and What Will This Mean for Our Members? Florida’s role as a global business hub makes it a desirable destination for European companies looking to establish or expand their presence in the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean. EACC Florida Members will have privileged access to the EEN’s international platform and European partnership opportunities and be promoted as part of a trusted, vetted U.S. business community for European enterprises seeking expansion into the U.S. As an International Partner of the EEN, EACC Florida will help support Europe-based companies as they explore their expansion options into the United States. This partnership will also allow EACC Florida to provide practical assistance to Florida-based businesses seeking growth paths into Europe. Who Can Benefit? The initiative is particularly relevant for: Florida-based companies seeking international partners, clients, or collaborators Service providers (legal, logistics, marketing, compliance) looking to support inbound business European SMEs entering or expanding into the U.S., Latin America or the Caribbean Academic institutions, clusters & innovation hubs seeking transatlantic cooperation Economic development organizations as well as trade & investment entities Join EACC Florida today and position your company for new international opportunities through the EEN – Enterprise Europe Network! Find out more information: www.eaccfl.com

EACC Florida’s 4th meeting of its Task Force on Transportation, Logistics & Customs was held on September 17 and kindly hosted by LeverX. Titled Adapting to the eCommerce Power Shift – Best Practices in Warehousing, Compliance & Digital Logistics, the discussion was led by Vera NIEUWLAND, Digital Commerce Strategist currently heading the Digital Transformation service line at Kaufman Rossin, and Oleksii YAREMENKO, Director of Global Services, North America at LeverX. They explored the operational, technological, and compliance challenges of supporting high-velocity eCommerce, highlighting how companies can leverage warehouse automation, integrated data solutions, and strategic partnerships to stay ahead. The discussion also provided insights for European and transatlantic businesses on adapting effectively to these shifts. We extend our thanks to Task Force Member Emmanuel Desbats of CLASQUIN for stepping in at short notice to ensure the meeting ran smoothly. Hosted by

The European Commission has put forward its proposals to the Council for the signature and conclusion of the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement (EMPA) and the EU-Mexico Modernised Global Agreement (MGA). These landmark deals form a critical part of the EU’s strategy to diversify its trade relations and strengthen economic and political ties with like-minded partners around the world. These partnerships will create billions of euro’s worth of export opportunities for EU companies of all sizes, contribute to economic growth and competitiveness, support hundreds of thousands of European jobs, and promote EU interests and values. They will strengthen value chains, and help the EU to widen its range of reliable sources for critical inputs and raw materials. In a time of growing geopolitical instability, these agreements bind us closer to strategically important partners, providing a shared platform to strengthen mutual trust and tackle shared global challenges, including the modernisation of the rules-based global trading system. Read more.

So far, 2025 has brought a flurry of immigration changes that have impacted thousands of individuals residing in the United States. To ensure you have not missed anything, we have summarized and detailed each of them below (from most to least recent). Read more. Compliments Cozen O’Connor

As the automotive and transportation industry continues to evolve, legal departments are navigating complex challenges around technology, regulation and globalization. This updated list highlights 10 key legal and policy issues currently shaping the industry and expected to remain critical through the rest of 2025. Read more. Compliments Squire Patton Boggs

The European Commission’s (Commission) draft EU Space Act (draft Act or Act), released in June 2025, would impose supranational regulation on space services providers seeking to provide space-based data or service in the Union’s internal market. Previous GT Alerts provide background on the publication and path forward for the draft Act and address the scope and process for European space operator authorization. This GT Alert examines the broad reach of the EU Space Act and process for non-Union space service providers to serve the EU market. Read more. Compliments Greenberg Traurig

The world is facing an energy reckoning. Rocked by global energy shortages and massive price hikes, largely caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, global leaders have been forced to deprioritize climate goals and focus on powering their country by any available means, such as coal and other fossil fuels. Once the darling of the European green movement, Germany, under Chancellor Olaf Scholz, has decided to extend the lifetime of its remaining nuclear plants as it faces energy blackmail from Russia ahead of the winter months. Read more. Compliments Forward Global

The OBBB Act contains a myriad of changes for all types of businesses and industries for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025. For U.S. businesses with operations outside the country, the OBBB brings notable changes to the complex international tax landscape. Some may face new U.S. tax rates based on ownership in controlled foreign corporations (CFCs), while others may no longer meet the definition of a CFC at all. Corporate exporters may benefit from increased tax savings, depending on their assets in the U.S. Additionally, many businesses will be able to use more foreign tax credits to offset their U.S. tax liability. To help you quickly navigate the most impactful provisions, we’ve outlined four key international tax changes that could affect your international business operations. Read more Compliments Kaufman Rossin

This first installment of a six-part series—authored by Hinesh Patel, MCMI ChMC of CNM LLP, Chris Raphaely of Cozen O’Connor, Nathan Cali of NOBLE Capital Markets, and Matt Podowitz of Pathfinder Advisors—explores the timely and strategic reasons why European companies are pursuing acquisitions in the U.S. middle-market health care and life sciences (HCLS) sector. Read more. Compliments Cozen O’Connor

On Aug. 6, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) set forth its position on “PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in Medical Devices” [PFAS in Medical Devices | FDA]. Ultimately, the FDA concludes that, based on its evaluation, “currently there is no reason to restrict [PFAS] continued use in devices,” and discusses the important distinction between small and large molecule fluoropolymers, emphasizing that large molecule fluoropolymers used in medical devices “have been safely used for decades.” The FDA also recognizes the unique properties of fluoropolymers in medical device applications and notes that currently no materials exist that can perform these critical applications. Read more. Compliments Greenberg Traurig

On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed into law the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which includes international tax provisions aimed at modifying how U.S. and foreign companies design their global supply chains. A key provision of the bill that carries out this policy objective is the revision of the Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (GILTI) regime. This article provides a brief background of the GILTI tax and then explains the OBBBA modifications to GILTI that will likely impact global supply chains. Read more. Compliments Mowery & Schoenfeld

The second Trump administration has entered its fifth month and, unsurprisingly, travel restrictions, immigration enforcement, border security, and the removal of those who are undocumented in the U.S. have been its priorities.Read more. Compliments Fakhoury International

The sharp increase in the producer price index in July was a warning not only for the Federal Reserve but also for businesses, as the data suggested that profit margins could soon take a hit. Read more Compliments RSM US

En el marco de Global Gateway, la estrategia de la Unión Europea para promover inversiones sostenibles y alianzas de alto impacto con países socios, se presentó el proceso de implementación de la estrategia de Producción Más Limpia (PML) en Ecuador. Read more. Compliments Delegation of the European Union to Ecuador

Belize’s health sector is undergoing a transformative shift, thanks to a major partnership with the European Union (EU) through the Health Sector Support Programme (HSSP) implemented by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) since 2018. Read more Compliments Delegation of the European Union to Jamaica, Belize, The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands and Cayman Islands

La Unión Europea, sus Estados Miembros y la Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) realizaron un conversatorio para presentar la relación estratégica de la Unión Europea y la República Dominicana, con invitados del mundo académico y empresarial. Read more This article is available in Spanish only. Compliments Delegation of the EU to the Dominican Republic

Hello and welcome to the Installment 6 of  “Consolidated Regulatory and Supply Chain News”. This update brought to us on a quarterly basis by RAF Solutions offers members of the EACC high level information on news that could affect the trans-ocean business of import and export to / from the U.S. This will mostly be organized by type of information (i.e. ocean freight, air freight, regulations on either side, etc) but there may be some crossover in sections since one new regulation could impact many areas. However, news moves so fast these days that this update will be presented as a combination of consolidated news items and links to relevant articles. Tariffs U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued Guidance on the revised reciprocal tariffs announced on July 31, 2025, and effective August 7, 2025. This provides new HTSUS Chapter 99 provisions and tariff rates for 70 countries plus all of the countries of the European Union. The new provisions were effective at 12:01 a.m. EDT on August 7, 2025. A delayed effective date is established for goods in transit, meaning loaded onto a vessel at the port of loading and in transit on the final mode of transport prior to entry into the United States before 12:01 a.m. EDT on August 7, 2025, AND (2) entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. EDT on August 7, 2025, and before 12:01 a.m. EDT on October 5, 2025. Such goods remain subject to the 10% ad valorem reciprocal tariff under heading 9903.01.25. Exemptions apply for goods of Canada and Mexico (both subject to duties under other IEEPA provisions), although a special Chapter 99 number is required to claim the exemption. Other exemptions include articles subject to Column 2 duty rates, certain donations, informational materials, and articles previously excluded under prior reciprocal tariff notices. Articles actually paying duties under Section 232 (steel, aluminum, copper, and their derivatives; autos and light trucks and parts) are exempt, although any portion of such products that is excluded from Section 232 will be subject to the appropriate reciprocal tariff. Articles in which at least 20% of the value is U.S.-originating are exempt from the reciprocal tariff on the U. S. value, although the remaining value of the article is subject to the reciprocal tariff. Strict reporting requirements apply. Most articles making a proper claim for classification in a Chapter 98 provision are exempt, except for articles subject to the African Growth and Opportunity Act and the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act, as well as articles classified in subheadings 9802.00.40, 9802.00.50, 9802.00.60, and 9802.00.80. Entries filed under Temporary Import Bond provisions must report the appropriate reciprocal tariff number and bond for that amount. A special rule is provided for articles from the European Union. Such articles having a Column 1 duty rate less than 15% are subject to a 15% reciprocal duty calculated so that the sum of the Column 1/General duty rate and the reciprocal tariff shall be 15 percent. Articles having a Column 1 duty rate 15% or more will be subject only to that rate, with a reciprocal tariff rate of 0%. For articles from all other countries, the reciprocal tariff is cumulative with any applicable Column 1 duty rate. A special additional transshipment duty rate of 40% is established for any goods transshipped to evade applicable IEEPA Reciprocal duties. Any other applicable or appropriate fine or penalty, and any other duties, fees, taxes, extractions, or charges applicable to goods of the country of origin, may also be charged. Goods of China, including Hong Kong and Macau, continue to be subject to the 10% reciprocal tariff under heading 9903.01.25 and not covered by this Guidance. The Guidance includes instructions on the proper sequence for claiming and reporting all applicable HTSUS provisions. The applicable tariff provisions and duty rates are set forth in Annex 1 and Annex 2 of the July 31 Executive Order. Compliments: American Journal of Transportation Tariffs Impact U.S. Trade and Supply Chains Since April, tariff measures have slowed global air cargo growth to just 4% year-over-year, down from double-digit gains in late 2024. A brief surge in shipments from Southeast Asia to North America in early April, ahead of tariff deadlines, quickly reversed later that month. The Trump administration’s reciprocal tariffs, effective August 7, range from 15% for countries like Japan and South Korea to 50% for nations such as Switzerland and Brazil. Tariffs on China remain at 30% and were extended another 90 days. Business surveys show nearly half of U.S. companies plan to absorb some tariff costs, while 63% will raise consumer prices. Large retailers have mostly held prices steady so far. Import volumes are projected to decline sharply through November as companies front-loaded shipments to beat the August deadline. Additional measures include: Semiconductors: Planned 100% tariffs pending a national security review. India: New 25% tariff on top of existing 25%, starting Aug. 27, with certain transit exemptions. Pharmaceuticals: Possible tariffs up to 250%, pending review. Other sectors under review: Critical minerals, aircraft, jet engines, and heavy truck parts. The EU has postponed its counter-tariffs of up to 30% on U.S. goods for six months, delaying measures initially set for August 7.                 U.S. trade statistics for full-year 2024 alongside the Trump administration’s planned tariff rates:                                                   Air Freight News: Heathrow Airport has revealed details of its plan to expand and modernize the airport at a cost of £49 billion ($65 billion).  The CEO of Heathrow Airport said expansion was “urgent” as the airport was currently working at capacity, “to the detriment of trade and connectivity.” The work would be funded by private finance. Heathrow officials estimate would be completed within a decade, including building a third runway, includes procuring the land, changing the M25 motorway that encircles Greater London.  The government has backed plans for a third runway saying it would “make Britain the world’s best-connected place to do business.” Potentially delaying the expansion are environmental groups, politicians, and locals opposed to the plan, including London’s mayor Sir Sadiq Khan saying the expansion would have a severe impact on noise, air pollution and meeting the city’s climate change targets. Ending the De Minimus Exemptions: The end of de minimis exemptions for low-value shipments ($800 and less) to the U.S. from China could dramatically disrupt e-commerce volumes that have long-fueled the global air freight market.  Freight market data shows e-commerce accounts for roughly half of all air cargo shipments between China and the U.S., as well as 6% of global volumes.  With the U.S. ending de minimis for China on May 2, those volumes are growing and expected to continue.  Chinese e-commerce giant Temu had been taking advantage of de minimis exemptions to ship millions of packages into the U.S. each day but has halted the sale of all goods shipped from China to U.S. customers. The end of the de minimis rule, combined with the new tariffs, is having a marked effect on consumer shopping habits, according to two surveys conducted by the industry. Rail News: B. Hunt Transport Services Inc.,  BNSF Railway(BNSF) and GMXT, the largest rail provider in Mexico have together launched a new intermodal service for Mexico-based businesses — Quantum de México.  This follows J.B. Hunt and BNSF in November 2023 establishing this design to transport sensitive highway freight using rail.  Accordingly, they state the service is optimized for efficiency, offering a 95+% on-time delivery rate that’s up to one day faster than traditional intermodal service. Union Pacific(UP) says it has reached an agreement to acquire Norfolk Southern for $85 billion, in a merger that would create the first coast-to-coast rail network in the United States. After merging, UP and Norfolk Southern would have more than 50,000 employees, 80% of whom belong to unions.  The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen issued a statement expressing concerns over the potential fallout from combining the two railroads, warning that staffing cuts and a rushed integration process.  However, In UP’s release announcing the merger, they vowed to ensure that all union employees for both railroads will have jobs once the merger is complete. Trucking News: The U.S. trucking industry has faced a persistent labor shortage for years, a problem now intensified by a new Trump administration directive issued in May. The policy, effective June 25, requires removing commercial drivers who are not proficient in English from service. English language proficiency (ELP) rules have existed since the 1970s, but the Obama administration relaxed them in 2016, allowing interpreters, translation apps, cue cards, and other aids. The new directive reverses those changes, banning language aids during roadside inspections or traffic stops. Under the updated rules, safety inspectors and law enforcement must initiate inspections in English. If they believe a driver does not fully understand instructions, they conduct an ELP assessment. Drivers who fail are pulled from service until the issue is resolved. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, in 2023 nearly 4% of licensed commercial drivers—about 140,000 of the nation’s 3.5 million truckers—had limited English proficiency. Immigrants, who make up nearly 16% of CDL holders, could be disproportionately affected, especially in light of the administration’s stricter deportation policies. Beware of Fraudulent Contacts. Reports released for Highway Q2 2025 Freight Fraud Index, reporting a significant rise in fraud attempts targeting freight brokers and carrier networks. The index reveals that in Q2, Highway flagged and blocked: – 495,267 fraudulent email attempts – 42,421 suspicious phone numbers – 2,281 identity alerts Compared to Q1 2025, fraudulent email attempts increased by 41%, and broker-reported identity fraud rose by 23%. These findings also reflect broader national trends. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NCIB) recently reported a 27% year-over-year increase in U.S. cargo theft, with identity manipulation, email compromises, and phone-based identity fraud among the top tactics used by fraud rings Ocean News: Maritime carbon footprint emissions fell by 4.5% year-over-year in the second quarter of 2025, despite an 8% increase in the global fleet size. Although Q2 emissions were down compared to the same quarter in 2024, total emissions in the first six months of 2025 actually increased by nearly a 1%, thanks in large part to a 16% jump in January, when the number of total trips rose by more than 13%, during a cargo increase by businesses looking to get ahead of planned tariffs. Tougher U.S. trade penalties on goods originating in one country being re-shipped from another are not expected to immediately follow new U.S. tariffs, teasing a major cause of concern. Southeast Asian countries have been explicitly targeted for their alleged role in facilitating the so-called transshipment to America of Chinese goods, which would face higher tariffs if shipped directly from China. The administration imposed tariffs on goods from dozens of countries on Thursday, and in an executive order, said products determined to have been illegally rerouted to conceal their country of origin would face additional duties of 40%. But it did not clarify what constitutes transshipment. Union News: The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has voted to reject final contract proposals from Canada Post (CP), with the union calling on its employers to return to the bargaining table.  The latest offer from CP in early August was presented as the “best and final” offer.  CUPW overwhelmingly rejected this offer.  No announcements from either CUPW or CP has been announced. CP has lost money in the multi-billion CAN$ for several of recent past years and have said they cannot afford any further wage or benefit increases without significant infusion of funding from the government. Compliments

EACC Florida is delighted to welcome Mowery & Schoenfeld as a new Corporate Member and looks working to working with your team in Miami and beyond. In their own words: At Mowery & Schoenfeld, our dedicated multicultural team supports companies and individuals engaged in cross-border investments and business between the United States and the rest of the world. Whether you’re considering market entry into the U.S. from abroad, expanding from the U.S. to global markets, an international transaction, or optimizing your existing multinational operations, we help you develop and implement the right strategies. Info: https://www.msllc.com/

Did you know that Florida made it into the top 3 U.S. states receiving European FDI projects in 2024 (by number of projects)? This is one of the findings the Transatlantic Expansion Barometer 2025 by EACC, OCO Global and RSM. The report was led by our EACC Chapter in Paris with contributions from all EACC chapters and is now available on request from your local EACC Chapter. Some of the key findings include: There is a slowdown in industrial momentum in some European countries heavily dependent on U.S. FDI, a delay in job creation, and a widening technology gap in key sectors. European investors have increased their presence on the U.S. market, with investment growing by 19% between 2022 and 2024. The top five destinations for European FDI in the United States have shifted between 2023 and 2024, with southern states gaining ground and driven by European investors’ search for increased competitiveness, access to dynamic industrial hubs, and a more attractive tax and regulatory environment. Florida made it into the top 3 U.S. states receiving European FDI projects in 2024 (by number of projects) behind Texas and New York and in front of California. The findings were presented during a webinar in July which is now available on the EACC YouTube Channel. Click on the pic to watch the webinar. Contact [email protected] to request a copy of the report.

EACC Florida is delighted to welcome Henley & Partners as a new Corporate Member. In their own words: Henley & Partners is the global leader in residence and citizenship by investment. Each year, hundreds of wealthy individuals and their advisors rely on our expertise and experience in this area. The firm’s highly qualified professionals work together as one team in over 60 offices worldwide. The concept of residence and citizenship by investment was created by Henley & Partners in the 1990s. As globalization has expanded, residence and citizenship have become topics of significant interest among the increasing number of internationally mobile entrepreneurs and investors whom we proudly serve every day. Henley & Partners also runs the world’s leading government advisory practice for investment migration, which has raised more than USD 15 billion in foreign direct investment. Trusted by governments, the firm has been involved in strategic consulting and in the design, set-up, and operation of the world’s most successful residence and citizenship programs. Please find further information: https://www.henleyglobal.com/

A high-caliber group of guests, including several GT Summer Associates, attended Leadership in Action – Navigating Change with a Transatlantic Lens, a moderated discussion on driving impact, embracing change, and leading with purpose in today’s uncertain and fast-changing world. Held at Greenberg Traurig’s beautiful offices on Wednesday, July 9, the lively and insightful session was moderated by Alan Sutin, Principal Shareholder at Greenberg Traurig and President of EACC Florida. The panel featured: Carol Cabezás, former President of Azamara Cruises and Principal at Woodside Square Solutions LLC Angela Vieira, Vice President of Supply Chain and Board Member at Bakerly, joining remotely from Marseille, France Robert Schoenberger, Exhibition Group Director at Messe München, and organizer of Air Cargo, Transport Logistic & Project Cargo Americas The discussion explored a wide range of issues, including: What authentic, mindful, and effective leadership looks like in a globalized, multicultural, and interconnected world How leaders can maintain clarity and cohesion across markets, cultures, time zones, and generations—especially under rapidly shifting external conditions Promoting innovation, such as responsible AI adoption, while mitigating risks Redefining resilience in the face of geopolitical instability and supply chain volatility And yes—whether driverless cars might one day be safer than Miami drivers Guests continued the conversation over wine and cheese, enjoying the late-afternoon spectacle of light and clouds dancing across Port Miami and the waters of Biscayne Bay

On June 9, 2025, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a memorandum titled “Guidelines for Investigations and Enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).” The memo follows a four-month review triggered by President Trump’s Executive Order, signed in February, instructing the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Attorney General Pamela Bondi to pause enforcement of