Fedtrade® Podcast

Interview with Eugene Laney, President and CEO of the American Association of Exporters and Importers (AAEI). The AAEI represents an international community of trade compliance professionals responsible for complying with and influencing the laws — both domestic and global — that govern the export and import of goods. Key Takeaways:AAEI was established to help U.S. companies grow globally.Three common challenges of AAEI members when either exporting or importing include market access, regulatory compliance, and trade facilitation/logistics. Membership includes Fortune 500 companies and SMEs.Benchmarking is a key membership benefit.

Interview with Andrew Greenfield, Senior Counsel of Fragomen. With more than 6,000 immigration-focused professionals and staff spanning more than 60 offices worldwide, immigration has been Fragomen's sole focus for 70 years. Key Takeaways:Fragomen specializes in global immigration needs for employers and serves a wide range of clients from startups to multinationals.Immigration adjudications can be inconsistent based on administration.Work permits can typically be approved in 6 to 10 weeks.Fragomen collaborates with other service providers for client success.

Interview with Joanne Farquharson, CEO of Foothold America. With a dedicated team of experts, Foothold America provides the tools and resources to make U.S. expansion easy and hassle-free and supports your business journey with turn-key and bespoke solutions catered to your business needs. They recognize that not “one size fits all” and evaluate the key variables of your business to further your growth and success. Key Takeaways:Foothold America supports companies in U.S. market entry.Engagement can range from one-time services to long-term partnerships.Understanding the U.S. market dynamics is crucial for success.Legal and regulatory compliance is a top priority for companies entering the U.S.

Interview with Doug Baker, Vice President of Industry Relations at FMI - The Food Industry Association, for our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SelectUSA Investment Summit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ spotlight series. As the food industry association, FMI works with and on behalf of the entire industry to advance a safer, healthier and more efficient consumer food supply chain. Representatives from FMI will be attending the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit in National Harbor, Maryland, from May 11-14, 2025.Key Takeaways:FMI provides members with advocacy; food safety training and resources; and collaboration and community. Startups face challenges in gaining visibility in a crowded market.FMI fosters innovation through initiatives like the Tech Pitch Competition.

Interview with Lisa Pettigrew, CEO and Founder of CRO Syndicate, for our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SelectUSA Investment Summit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ spotlight series. CRO Syndicate provides seasoned interim executives to exponentially grow your company’s revenue through strategic, collaborative, and  pragmatic real-world solutions. Representatives from CRO Syndicate will be attending the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit in National Harbor, Maryland, from May 11-14, 2025.Key Takeaways:CRO Syndicate is passionate about helping companies grow their sales.It takes three things to be a great sales leader - a playbook, the ability to motivate, and being data driven - and CRO Syndicate can help companies achieve these.No matter the size company, there are three or four key things needed when going to market in the U.S. - a finance person, investors, legal and regulatory advice and guidance, and someone who helps with sales.

Interview with Charuni Patibanda-Sanchez, Secretary of State of Delaware, for our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SelectUSA Investment Summit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ spotlight series. As Secretary of State, Charuni leads the most diverse department with responsibilities in virtually every aspect of Delaware state government. The Secretary serves on the Board of Pardons, the Cash Management Policy Board, the Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Council (DEFAC), and the Port of Wilmington. Representatives from Delaware will be attending the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit in National Harbor, Maryland, from May 11-14, 2025.Key Takeaways:Delaware's Department of State promotes economic development.Delaware is home to two-thirds of Fortune 500 companies.The Delaware Prosperity Partnership assists companies in navigating the market.Key industries in the state include life sciences, fintech, and agriculture.The state provides various incentives for new businesses.

Interview with Tracey Hyatt Bosman, Managing Director of Biggins Lacy Shapiro & Company (BLS & Co.), for our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SelectUSA Investment Summit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ spotlight series. BLS & Co. is one of the largest specialty site selection and incentives advisory consulting firms in North America, helping companies compete and flourish by optimizing location choices. Members of BLS & Co. will be attending the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit in National Harbor, Maryland, from May 11-14, 2025.Key Takeaways:BLS specializes in U.S. site selection and incentives.U.S. market entry often evolves as companies uncover new information, making flexibility and the ability to pivot essential. Other key aspects of U.S. market entry—such as legal, engineering, and accounting—should be launched in parallel with site selection to prevent downstream delays.Geography impacts access to labor, suppliers, and markets.

Interview with Anders Victor, Director of Business Development for the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC), for our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SelectUSA Investment Summit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ spotlight series. EDPNC improves the economic well-being and quality of life for all North Carolinians by recruiting new businesses to the state, supporting existing employers, assisting companies with international trade, counseling small business and startups, and promoting North Carolina as a tourism destination. Members of EDPNC will be attending the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit in National Harbor, Maryland, from May 11-14, 2025.Key Takeaways:EDPNC is a public-private partnership focused on economic development.North Carolina's legacy sectors of textile, furniture, and food and agriculture still exist at great scale and accompany life sciences, tech, financial services, and aerospace as strong sectors in the state. The state's geography and workforce make it an attractive business location.Startups often struggle with understanding the U.S. market landscape, especially where to start.EDPNC provides support in navigating incentives and programs.

Interview with Daniel Clark, Vice President and Director of Business Development at New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), for our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SelectUSA Investment Summit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ spotlight series. NYCEDC is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization that works for a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy for all New Yorkers. They take a comprehensive approach, through four main strategies: strengthen confidence in NYC as a great place to do business; grow innovative sectors with a focus on equity; build neighborhoods as places to live, learn, work, and play; and deliver sustainable infrastructure for communities and the city's future economy. Members of NYCEDC will be attending the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit in National Harbor, Maryland, from May 11-14, 2025.Key Takeaways:Innovative sectors NYCEDC focuses on tend to shift every few years, but currently tech, life sciences, and the green economy are key areas.Securing IP protection, navigating regulatory aspects, and cost are common challenges faced by international companies seeking to go to market in the United States. There are over 74 business incentives that apply in New York City through all three levels of government. SelectUSA Investment Summit is a key event for economic development.

Interview with Bill Noonan, Chief Business Development Officer at Choose New Jersey, for our ⁠⁠⁠⁠SelectUSA Investment Summit⁠⁠⁠⁠ spotlight series. Choose New Jersey is the state's leading non-profit business attraction organization, inspiring businesses, entrepreneurs, and innovators to make New Jersey their home. They provide a range of free, confidential resources and tools to assist in location decision, and the team offers personalized guidance at every stage of establishing or expanding operations in New Jersey. Members of Choose New Jersey will be attending the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit in National Harbor, Maryland, from May 11-14, 2025.Key Takeaways:The industries largely served in New Jersey are life sciences, technology, food and beverage, manufacturing, logistics, and film and entertainment.New Jersey has more PhDs and engineers per capita than any state in the United States, offering one of the most educated workforces in the country.With offices around the world, Choose New Jersey is a nonprofit organization focused on economic attraction.Startups often underestimate the cost and time required to enter the U.S. market.

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

Interview with William (Bill) Kitay, Secretary of the American Chamber of Commerce in Canada (AmCham Canada) for our SelectUSA Investment Summit spotlight series. With seven chapters located throughout Canada, AmCham Canada is a private, non-profit membership organization that promotes the two-way flow of trade, goods, services and investment between Canada and the United States. AmCham Canada will be attending the 2025 SelectUSA Investment Summit in National Harbor, Maryland, from May 11-14, 2025. Key Takeaways: Understanding U.S. regulatory and legal requirements, including the impact on potential trade tariffs, is crucial for success. AmCham Canada membership includes a diverse range of businesses, from large corporations to small entrepreneurs. Assembling a team of experts to support U.S. market expansion is crucial for safeguarding against potential pitfalls.

Interview with Mike Papineau, CEO of RideFlag Technologies. RideFlag is innovative technology that accurately counts vehicle occupancy to promote carpooling, reduce traffic congestion, and ultimately reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Mike shares insights on the importance of intellectual property in business strategy, the challenges of entering the U.S. market, and valuable lessons learned along the way.  Key Takeaways: Intellectual property is crucial for protecting innovations and increasing business valuation Patience and capital are essential for business success Continuous product improvement is necessary for market fit