A peaceful transition of presidential power occurred in the United States (US) on Wednesday, 20 January, in Washington, D.C., with President Joe Biden now leading the country and calling for unity. Over his first few days, President Biden immediately signed a number of orders, ranging from addressing COVID-19 to climate change and other topics. Prior … Continue Reading
The United States (US) continues to focus on the aftermath of the US Capitol Building attack on 6 January, as it looks to move forward with a peaceful transition of power this coming week. Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) process for approving the EU-United Kingdom (UK) trade deal took another step forward this week, as … Continue Reading
All eyes were on Washington, D.C. last week, as news emerged Wednesday that the United States (US) Capitol was breached. Order was restored quickly and Congress moved ahead with certifying the 3 November election results. In the wake of the incident, US President Donald Trump is under pressure to resign, with just over a week … Continue Reading
The United Kingdom (UK) approved its second COVID-19 vaccine this week, while the European Union (EU) moved forward quickly with distribution of its first-approved vaccine to its Member States. United States (US) President Donald Trump signed another COVID relief measure linked to an Omnibus appropriations bill late on Sunday, after objecting initially to a number … Continue Reading
The United States (US) approved its second COVID-19 vaccine by Moderna this week, ramping up its initial vaccine distribution and inoculations in America. Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) decided to expedite its vaccine approval process and is now on track to authorize the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines before the end of the month.… Continue Reading
Last week, the United Kingdom (UK) moved forward with its first inoculations of the approved Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. The United States (US) approved the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine on Friday, 11 December, and will begin inoculations this coming week. The European Union (EU) continues to stress safety over speed in its vaccine approval process and has yet … Continue Reading
On December 4, 2020, senior members of our Public Policy Practice joined the Meridian International Center for an Insights@Meridian discussion before an audience comprised of multinational corporations and the diplomatic community.… Continue Reading
The United Kingdom (UK) approved its first COVID-19 vaccine this past week, moving forward with its first inoculations this month. Regulators in the United States (US) and European Union (EU) are still examining the Phase 3 clinical data but are not far behind in their respective approval processes for some vaccine candidates. Talks between the … Continue Reading
Businesses of all sizes should consider how the Biden Administration’s “Build Back Better” economic plan would affect international supply chains. His strategy to revitalize the American economy rests on two pillars: strengthening Buy American provisions and reforming the tax code to incentivize domestic production.… Continue Reading
President-Elect Joe Biden’s campaign platform pledged the US would renew a “mutually respectful engagement toward Africa with a bold strategy.” His immediate focus, however, will be to tackle domestic matters like COVID-19 and the economy. Initial engagement with Africa may therefore be conducted through combatting the pandemic, bilaterally and multilaterally, and via the Global Health … Continue Reading
In partnership with the US-UAE Business Council (Business Council) and its 2020 “Back to Business” webinar series, our Public Policy colleagues, including former elected and appointed US government officials, joined Danny E. Seabright, President of the Business Council to share their outlook on domestic and foreign policy priorities of the incoming Biden Administration, and their … Continue Reading
While President-Elect Biden supported the Obama Administration’s Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations, he has since said he would renegotiate the Asia-Pacific pact. He views the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) as the gold standard, especially on enforcement, environment, and labor provisions. Any future trade agreements will likely seek to at least achieve these same standards. Rule of law … Continue Reading
States continue to certify their election results in the United States (US), amid ongoing legal challenges from US President Donald Trump. With temperatures cooling and holidays approaching, governments on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean continue to evaluate the situation and impose or refine restrictions as COVID-19 cases continue to rise.… Continue Reading
President-Elect Joe Biden is expected to prioritize rebuilding transatlantic relations, after several years of elevated tensions on a number of trade priorities. US and European officials have traded barbs on a number of fronts – from World Trade Organization (WTO) reform to the long-standing large civil aircraft dispute, and from Section 232 national security tariffs … Continue Reading
For the past four years, the Trump Administration has pursued a relentless strategy against the People’s Republic of China (“China”) that can be best described as “chaotic pressure.” The Biden Administration will likely keep up the pressure, but apply it more predictably.… Continue Reading
United States (US) President Donald Trump continues to contest the 3 November election results that predict Joe Biden as President-Elect; he has filed legal challenges in several states, including where some recounts are happening. Some European leaders have already welcomed the presumed results, while others are awaiting the formal certification of the US presidential election.… Continue Reading
COVID-19 cases continue to increase on both sides of the Atlantic. While European countries continue to impose restrictions toward stemming the spread of the coronavirus, the United States (US) remains focused on the presidential election and continued ballot counting in some states. Despite some legal challenges, Saturday saw the announcement of Democratic presidential contender Joe … Continue Reading
There are a number of factors complicating transatlantic efforts to stem the novel coronavirus, such as lockdown fatigue and related impacts to economies. Nonetheless, European governments continue to respond to the latest COVID-19 wave engulfing the region; the European Union (EU) is pushing Member States to remain coordinated. While infections are similarly increasing in the … Continue Reading
While COVID-19 infections continue to rise globally and transatlantic governments are responding accordingly, the European Union (EU) and United Kingdom (UK) resumed negotiations over terms for its relationship, post Brexit. Late last week, the EU’s investment screening regulation entered into force; the bloc continues to move forward in its process to approve an EU Global … Continue Reading
Are you an American company interested in doing business in emerging and developing markets, but concerned about the risk they present?… Continue Reading
A second wave of COVID-19 cases is being seen around the world and governments on both sides of the Atlantic are re-examining restrictions to curb the spread of the virus again. Two of four COVID vaccine candidates in late stage trials in the United States (US) have paused after individuals had complications that are being … Continue Reading
COVID-19 has affected leadership in the United States (US) and Europe these past few weeks, with multiple top US officials in self-quarantine this week after potential exposures to infected persons. US officials have thus far failed to advance another COVID-19 relief package, while the European Union (EU) Finance Ministers reached a political agreement on the … Continue Reading
Several high-level officials from the United States (US) were in Europe this past week, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Collectively, they focused on the Brexit talks, strengthening economic relations, 5G infrastructure, energy and transatlantic security, as well as Hizballah. The United Kingdom (UK) and the European Union (EU) continued their discussions on Britain’s future … Continue Reading
The European Commission moved forward with guidance this week on its COVID-19 recovery and resilience efforts. The United Kingdom (UK) continues to prepare for its transition out of the European Union (EU) at the end of the year, while talks continue between the two sides. Trade negotiations between the United States (US) and UK also … Continue Reading
