Elections 2024 – EU, France, UK, USA Implications for Transatlantic Business and Trade

2024 is shaping up to be a year of political change across Europe and possibly in the United States with deep implications on transatlantic trade policy.

The European Parliament elections in June saw far-right parties make gains, although centrist parties will retain their parliamentary majority. Whereas the snap parliamentary elections in France resulted in further far-right advances, both the Left and President’s Macron’s centrist coalition made a surprise come-back. This further complicates the French President’s capacity to govern with wide implications for European Union policies. In London, the general election on July 4 produced a substantial majority for the Labour Party after 14 years of conservative rule. And in the United States, trade policy will be among the biggest issues to watch depending on which candidate wins the presidential election.

This program will consider the possible impact of these elections on transatlantic trade with a special focus on France, the UK, the EU and the US.

TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION

• Economic outlook in Europe and the US
• How will the new political majorities in place in the EU, France and the UK impact transatlantic trade policy?
• What would their impact be on the commercial regulatory environment, including on US businesses already operating in Europe or considering investing there?
• What changes can we expect in the UK’s trade policy with the US in general and US States in particular?
• What is the UK-Florida Memorandum of Understanding and how is it being implemented?
• What could be the implications of a Trump or Harris Presidency on transatlantic trade and business?

SPEAKERS

• Rufus Drabble, British Consul General in Miami
• Everett Eissenstat, Partner – Squire Patton Boggs
• Michaelangelo Margherita, Head of Trade, Agriculture and Digital Economy – Delegation of the EU to the U.S
• Sylvain Perret, Founder – Objectif USA
• Peter Stratos, Principal – Kaufman Rossin [Moderator]

EVENT SCHEDULE

9.00 AM – 9.30 AM:      Arrivals & Registration
9.30 AM – 10.30 AM:    Program
10.30 AM – 11.00 AM:   Networking

REGISTRATION

EACC Member: Free
Guest with Promo Code: Free
EACC Non-Member: $30

REGISTER HERE

SPEAKER BIOS

Rufus DRABBLE

Rufus Drabble started his role as Her Majesty’s Consul General in Miami in August 2022. He leads the UK’s work promoting economic, commercial, political, security and consular interests in Florida, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

Rufus’ previous role was in The Netherlands as Regional Director for consular and crisis work across Europe and Central Asia, supporting the many British travellers and residents in the region. He has also served in Tunisia as Deputy Ambassador, in Singapore in a regional role, and in Afghanistan, Norway and Kenya. Rufus was involved with recovery efforts in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in Tunisia (2016) and in Kenya (1998). He has also supported British nationals caught up in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the collapse of Thomas Cook Airlines, and provided consular help to British football supporters attending the Russia World Cup, after many diplomatic staff were expelled following the Salisbury poisonings.

Rufus is accompanied in Miami by his wife Stella and dog, Mango, and has two daughters studying in the UK. He is a keen, but useless, fisherman and also enjoys tennis. The British Consulate General in Miami works across Florida, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands to strengthen UK-US relations and to promote British interests.

Everett EISSENSTAT

Everett Eissenstat is a partner in the Public Policy Practice Group at Squire Patton Boggs. Everett is one of the nation’s foremost global trade experts having served in senior positions in Congress, the Office of the US Trade Representative, the White House and a Fortune 50 company. He helps clients manage and mitigate geopolitical risk, influence international economic policymaking, and develop and execute successful international trade and investment strategies.

Before joining Squire Patton Boggs, Everett most recently served as chair of North America and global trade lead at a boutique global public relations consultancy firm. He was senior vice president at a multinational automotive manufacturer (2018-2021) reporting to the CEO and managing over 100 public policy professionals worldwide. He helped navigate a range of challenges, including labor relations, supply chain disruptions and the regulatory and compliance implications of transitioning from internal combustible engines to electric vehicles. Everett is based in Washington DC.

Michaelangelo MARGHERITA

Michelangelo Margherita is Head of Trade, Agriculture and Digital Economy in the Delegation of the European Union to the U.S.

Before moving to Washington, he spent most of his career in the Directorate General for Trade of the European Commission in Brussels. His assignments included legislative files, trade negotiations but also public diplomacy and press relations. He was part of the negotiating team for the EU’s FTA with Andean countries, he was posted in Mexico City and subsequently developed the EU legislation on conflict minerals.

He holds law and political science degrees from universities in Paris and Montreal. Michelangelo has roots in several European countries and is married with two children.

Sylvain PERRET

Sylvain Perret is a distinguished business executive and consultant with over two decades of experience in international trade, banking, and real estate. His career spans key markets in France, the French West Indies, and the United States, where he has facilitated entrepreneurial growth and international business transactions.

As the founder of Integrity International Brokers, LLC (DBA Objectif USA), Mr. Perret assists both foreign and domestic entrepreneurs in acquiring and managing businesses in the United States. He also guides European investors in purchasing U.S. businesses and specializes in E2 visa applications for expatriates seeking U.S. business ownership.

An accomplished speaker and published author, Mr. Perret has shared his insights at events like the French American Business Summit in Washington, DC, and through his book on the E2 visa process, “S’expatrier aux États-Unis grâce aux visas d’entrepreneurs.” He has received multiple awards, including the Million Dollar Plus Award from Business Brokers of Florida.

Mr. Perret serves as the USA Country Delegate for OSCI (French Federation of Export Professionals) and has held leadership roles such as President of the Alliance Française of Greater Orlando and former President of the French American Business Council of Orlando. His board participation has been instrumental in strengthening France-U.S. business relations.

Peter STRATOS

Peter Stratos is a principal in Kaufman Rossin’s International Tax department where he provides extensive knowledge to his clients on international tax planning for both individual and corporate taxes. Peter’s primary expertise in international tax is in the areas of foreign tax credit planning, residency issues, state and local issues for international and multinational businesses, expats and inpats, pre-immigration planning, transfer pricing, compensation planning, treaty positions, entity selection, organizational structuring and withholding issues.

Peter is a Certified Public Accountant in Florida and Virginia. He is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Florida Institute of Public Accountants and the Virginia Society of Public Accountants. Peter is also a Member of the Board of Directors of EACC Florida and serves as Treasurer

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