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Associated Press
26 minutes ago
- Associated Press
EU readying 'countermeasures' if tariffs deal with US crumbles
BARCELONA (AP) — The European Union on Monday said it is preparing 'countermeasures' against the United States after the Trump administration's surprise tariffs on steel rattled global markets and complicated the ongoing wider tariff negotiations between Brussels and Washington. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and U.S. President Donald Trump agreed last week to 'accelerate talks' on a deal, but that if those trade negotiations fail 'then we are also prepared to accelerate our work on the defensive side,' European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill told a press conference in Brussels. 'In the event that our negotiations do not lead to a balanced outcome, the EU is prepared to impose countermeasures, including in response to this latest tariff increase,' Gill said. He said the EU is finalizing an 'expanded list of countermeasures' that would 'automatically take effect on July 14 or earlier.' That's the date when a 90-day pause, intended to ease negotiations, ends in tariffs announced by the two economic powerhouses on each other. About halfway through that grace period, Trump announced a 50% tariffs on steel imports. Trump's return to the White House has come with an unrivaled barrage of tariffs, with levies threatened, added and, often, taken away. Top officials at the EU's executive commission says they're pushing hard for a trade deal to avoid a 50% tariff on imported goods. The EU could possibly buy more liquefied natural gas and defense items from the U.S., as well as lower duties on cars, but it isn't likely to budge on calls to scrap the value added tax — which is akin to a sales tax — or open up the EU to American beef. The EU has offered the US a 'zero for zero' outcome in which tariffs would be removed on both sides industrial goods including autos. Trump has dismissed that but EU officials have said it's still on the table. The announcement Friday of a staggering 50% levy on steel imports stoked fear that big-ticket purchases from cars to washing machines to houses could see major price increases. But those metals are so ubiquitous in packaging, they're likely to pack a punch across consumer products from soup to nuts.
Fast Company
28 minutes ago
- Fast Company
From immigration law to business success: Navigating the challenges for foreign business in the U.S.
As a U.S. business immigration attorney and founder of Grape Law Firm PLLC, I have worked with many foreign entrepreneurs who have achieved lasting success in the United States. Establishing and scaling a company here requires time, effort, and strategic planning to navigate a complex web of immigration regulations and compliance requirements. COMMON LEGAL HURDLES IN SECURING EMPLOYEE VISAS The primary challenge faced by businesspeople is securing a legal presence in the United States. This means obtaining the appropriate visa or status for both entrepreneurs and their essential personnel. However, the process of business immigration to the U.S. is often a challenging adventure. According to the 2024 CIS Ombudsman Annual Report, from initial market entry to business expansion—and even to permanent establishment—the complexities of business immigration affect entrepreneurs at every stage of their U.S. journey. They face significant challenges in documenting the viability of their enterprises to immigration officials while managing their immigration status to meet the changing needs of the business ecosystem. NAVIGATING VISA PATHWAYS FOR BUSINESS GROWTH As business immigration attorneys, one of our primary duties is to help our clients choose the most suitable visa for their business vision and goals. The selection of the appropriate visa is the foundation on which a successful application strategy is built and is an investment in the company's long-term growth. It is imperative for entrepreneurs to understand that various options exist for starting new businesses in the United States or expanding existing operations. Each visa category has its own distinct advantages and considerations based on differing business needs. For instance, the E‑1 Treaty Trader and the E‑2 Treaty Investor visas are viable options for entrepreneurs. These visa categories cater to foreign traders and investors who are citizens of treaty countries—countries that have treaty agreements with the U.S. Traders must engage in continuous trade with the United States, and the U.S. must be their primary trading partner. Conversely, investors must make substantial investments through new or existing enterprises. Both the E‑1 and E‑2 visas can support long-term, sustainable business ventures in the United States (each is valid for up to five years and can be extended indefinitely), provided that they spur economic progress in their respective industries and investment areas. Furthermore, the L‑1 Intracompany Transferee visa is an ideal choice for international companies planning to expand to the U.S. The L‑1 visa allows foreign companies to transfer their managerial or executive employees for new office openings, thereby facilitating the establishment of operations in the United States. However, a potential downside is that the L‑1 visa requires rigorous application preparation—a thorough case file must be compiled, followed by consistently detailed documentation of organizational development and business growth metrics, especially during the first three years of operations. A CASE IN POINT One case from our L‑1 visa practice perfectly illustrates these complexities. As a seasoned professional in the scaffolding industry, our client's initial L‑1 New Office visa application succeeded through careful preparation and a comprehensive five‑year business plan. However, the real challenges emerged during the extension phase. When she sought to extend her L‑1 visa with different legal counsel, she faced a rigorous Request for Evidence (RFE) from USCIS that scrutinized every aspect of her business operations. The RFE questioned not only the structure, but also its growth trajectory and staffing decisions—common challenges that many foreign businesses face in proving the legitimacy and sustainability of their operations. The industry's unique characteristics, including its project‑based nature and specialized staffing requirements, made it particularly challenging to conform to USCIS's traditional expectations for business development. Her case is a stark reminder for prospective entrepreneurs that experienced immigration counsel can provide needed guidance throughout the ups and downs of their U.S. immigration journey. Entrepreneurs must acknowledge that deciding on the right visa type is more than an entry ticket to the United States—a visa is the key to legal rights, business investments, and financial aspirations that influence one's life in the U.S. BUILDING A FOUNDATION FOR LONG-TERM SUCCESS The U.S. business immigration ecosystem is ever-changing and demands legal acumen in business planning—integrating proactive immigration solutions from the very beginning. To achieve lasting success, entrepreneurs need expert legal guidance to navigate the complex steps of immigration and adapt to any changes or updates in the immigration system. Beyond legal counsel, success often hinges on comprehensive preparation and strategic planning. Maintaining detailed business documentation from day one proves crucial for immigration success. Successful immigrant entrepreneurs often distinguish themselves through meticulous record-keeping of business transactions, employee contracts, and market analyses that demonstrate their enterprise's viability. Early strategic planning should include developing detailed business projections, establishing clear organizational structures, and creating systems for tracking achievements and metrics. These elements strengthen visa applications and create a foundation for sustainable growth. Networking within industry associations and chambers of commerce can provide valuable insights into immigration processes and business development. Furthermore, entrepreneurs who actively participate in their industry's ecosystem often find themselves better positioned to demonstrate their legitimacy to immigration authorities. This comprehensive approach, combining thorough documentation with strategic foresight, guarantees that immigration planning aligns with business goals while maintaining strict compliance with U.S. regulations. As we look to the future, business expansion into the United States and immigration to the country will only become more interlinked. In that regard, the aforementioned success story of our entrepreneur client is an excellent example—showcasing that viewing immigration not as a hurdle but as a strategic tool is essential for success. Always remember: proper planning, combined with expert guidance, can transform potential obstacles into opportunities for growth in the American market. The key to sustainable success lies in developing a nuanced understanding of how immigration pathways can support business objectives while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
Washington Post
29 minutes ago
- Washington Post
The Latest: Trump's tax cuts and tariff hikes spark concerns
President Donald Trump faces the challenge of convincing Republican senators, global investors, voters and even Elon Musk that he won't bury the federal government in debt with his multitrillion-dollar tax breaks package. The response so far from financial markets has been skeptical. Meanwhile, Trump's doubling of tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum could hit Americans in an unexpected place: grocery aisles. The announcement Friday of a staggering 50% levy on those imports stoked fear that big-ticket purchases from cars to washing machines to houses could see major price increases.
