Fedtrade® Podcast

Interview with Tony Davis, Head of North and Latin America at the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade). Austrade helps grow Australia’s prosperity by delivering quality trade and investment services to businesses, accelerates growth in Australia’s tourism sector. and promotes Australia’s education to the world.

Key Takeaways:

• Austrade's strategic focus in the U.S. is centered on three main areas - critical and enabling technologies; defense, space, and security; and agri-business, food, and consumer.
• It is critical to understand the complex federal and state legal and regulatory landscape, as well as the time, cost, and necessary steps.
• Focus, prioritization, and segmentation are essential for Australian companies entering into the enormous U.S. market.

Interview with Artur Czerniejewski, Head of Swiss Business Hub USA of Switzerland Global Enterpriser, for our ⁠⁠⁠⁠SelectUSA Investment Summit⁠⁠⁠⁠ spotlight series. Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE) is the official Swiss organization for export and investment promotion. With a unique global network, S-GE supports more than 5,500 Swiss companies every year in their international business and helps innovative foreign companies on their way to settling in Switzerland. S-GE has its own teams (Swiss Business Hubs, SBHs) in approximately 45 countries.  Members of Swiss Business Hub USA will be attending the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit in National Harbor, Maryland, from May 11-14, 2025.

Key Takeaways:

• Swiss Business Hub USA supports SMEs - mostly focused in five different industry verticals - in U.S. market entry.
• Underestimation of the market is a key challenge that is common to Swiss companies entering into the United States.
• The magic triangle summarizes the three elements that make Switzerland a very attractive place for investment, especially for U.S. companies.
• The U.S. is now the number one export market for Switzerland.

Interview with Adam Boltik, Program Manager at State of New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs, for our ⁠⁠⁠SelectUSA Investment Summit⁠⁠⁠ spotlight series. The Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA) is the premier resource for businesses considering expansion in, or relocation to, New Hampshire, as well as people seeking a home in a place where they can balance their careers amid the natural beauty it offers. Members of BEA will be attending the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit in National Harbor, Maryland, from May 11-14, 2025.

Key Takeaways:

• The state's low tax burden, highly skilled and educated workforce, and responsive and lean government make it attractive to international companies seeking to establish a presence in the U.S.
• It is critical for international companies to come prepared for the U.S. regulatory environment and to understand that success is a journey.
• With a lot of advanced manufacturing companies in New Hampshire, broad-based tariffs will mean a lot of disruption and will cause a lot of companies to think how can they change their supply chains.

Interview with Lukas Zitz, Deputy Austrian Trade Commissioner of Advantage Austria, for our ⁠⁠SelectUSA Investment Summit⁠⁠ spotlight series. With around 100 offices in over 70 countries, Advantage Austria provides a broad range of intelligence and business development services for both Austrian companies and their international business partners.  Members of Advantage Austria will be attending the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit in National Harbor, Maryland, from May 11-14, 2025.Key Takeaways:

• Exports from Austria to the U.S. have significantly increased since 2005.
• A common misconception for companies entering the U.S. market is that the legal and regulatory compliance aspects are similar to Austria.

• Advantage Austria's network of resources includes not only legal experts and tax advisors, but cultural experts that help overcome potential cultural differences between U.S. and Austrian companies.
• SelectUSA provides a platform for Austrian companies to explore opportunities that exist in the U.S. market.

Interview with Michel Belval, President of the Quebec Chapter of The American Chamber of Commerce in Canada (AmCham Quebec) for our ⁠SelectUSA Investment Summit⁠ spotlight series. With seven chapters located across Canada, AmCham Canada is committed to promoting trade opportunities, advancing economic growth, and facilitating the mobility of people, goods, and services across the longest undefended border in the world. AmCham Canada is a proud affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the largest global and international business organization in the world. AmCham Quebec is based in Montreal, the province's commercial hub. At the confluence of language and culture, AmCham Canada's Québec chapter is uniquely positioned to serve the needs of firms involved in the U.S.-Canada business and trade relationship. From clarifying language policy to demystifying tax and legal regulations on both sides of the border to putting members into contact with experts on best practices in developing business in 'the other market', the Quebec chapter serves the province's vibrant and diverse business community in its relationships with Canada’s largest trading partner. Members of AmCham Quebec will be attending the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit in National Harbor, Maryland, from May 11-14, 2025.

Key Takeaways:

• AmCham Quebec not only helps Canadian businesses enter the U.S. market but also American companies going to Quebec.
• Professional service partners on both the U.S. and Canada sides are crucial for helping businesses understand the laws and rules.
• Intellectual property protection is crucial for companies entering the U.S. and AmCham Quebec provides the knowledge and resources necessary.
• Building strong Canada-U.S. relations is essential for economic growth.

Interview with Jeffrey Smith, Chief Operating Officer at Factum Global for our SelectUSA Investment Summit spotlight series. Factum Global is an international consulting firm that specializes in helping businesses and associations expand internationally. Members of Factum Global will be attending the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit in National Harbor, Maryland, from May 11-14, 2025.

Key Takeaways:

• The four Rs (research, readiness, roadmap, and relationships) are key for market entry.
• Intellectual property due diligence is an essential part of the research phase companies should complete before launching into a new market.
• Setting up meetings and reviewing the conference agenda are two essential steps to preparation for the SelectUSA Investment Summit.

Interview with Robert Leo, a U.S. Customs and International Trade Attorney at Meeks, Sheppard, Leo & Pillsbury LLP, a specialized law firm representing clients on customs and related international trade issues. The firm represents clients before the principal international trade regulatory agencies, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. International Trade Commission, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the Bureau of Industry and Security, the Food and Drug Administration, the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Agriculture. In addition, the firm handles litigation related to agency actions before the U.S. Court of International Trade, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and various other federal district and appellate courts.

Key Takeaways:

• In recent years, China and India have become the two major players for imports into the United States.
• Companies must consider freedom to operate in the U.S. market.
• Constantly changing and increasingly strict regulatory requirements greatly affect companies.
• Knowing your supplier and product are key to ensuring a successful entry into the U.S. market.

Interview with Tim Tierney, Director of Business Recruitment and International Trade at the Vermont Department of Economic Development, for our ⁠SelectUSA Investment Summit⁠ spotlight series. The mission of the Vermont Department of Economic Development is to improve the economic well-being of Vermonters by fostering growth, opportunity, and innovation. Their work connects businesses and organizations to critical resources including financing, workforce development, and market expansion, with the goal of cultivating high-quality jobs and expanding the state tax base. Members of the Vermont Department of Economic Development will be attending the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit in National Harbor, Maryland, from May 11-14, 2025.

Key Takeaways:

• Vermont focuses on recruiting small to medium-sized enterprises from Canada and Northern Europe.
• Vermont has a strong and long-standing relationship with Canada which will be affected by the impending tariffs.
• The SelectUSA Investment Summit is a key opportunity for attracting foreign investment.

Interview with Jon Worren, VP Strategy & Enablement at the Toronto Region Board of Trade. As the Chamber of Commerce for Canada's largest regional economy, the Toronto Region Board of Trade aims to make Toronto one of the most competitive and sought-after business regions in the world.

Key Takeaways:

• The Toronto Region Board of Trade serves a diverse range of companies from startups to multinationals.
• The Trade Accelerator Program is recommended for companies looking to expand internationally.
• Legal considerations are essential when entering new markets.

Interview with William (Bill) Hite, CEO and Founder of HSA Global, as part of our SelectUSA Investment Summit Spotlight series. With locations in Boston, Chicago, and Germany, HSA Global helps with the navigation of international expansion, offering services such as running back office, managing financial, tax and legal services, and providing CFO as a service. Members of HSA Global will be attending the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit in National Harbor, Maryland, from May 11-14, 2025.

Key Takeaways:

• Clients often underestimate the importance of legal agreements
• Securing intellectual property rights are crucial for technology companies and their global success
• Managing cultural differences is an underestimated challenge when entering an international market
• SelectUSA offers valuable insights for companies looking to enter the U.S. market