A Trade War on Two Fronts: U.S. Considers More Tariffs on European Goods

By Reid Whitten and Sarah Ben-Moussa on June 30, 2020 Posted in International Trade

Opening Salvos: The Proposed Tariffs

On June 26, 2020, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) published a notice that it is considering new tariffs on exports such as olives, coffee, beer, gin, and trucks coming into the United States from France, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom.[1] The list of potential targets also includes various types of bread, pastries, cakes, and other baked products. That new list of goods may face duties of up to 100%, potentially doubling the price of certain goods. [2] The announcement caused European stocks to fall, particularly for shares of beverage companies, luxury goods companies, and truck makers. Continue Reading

IRS Provides Some Relief to Offset COVID-19 Related Travel Restrictions

By Judith Fiorini on June 24, 2020 Posted in Coronavirus

Relief on Substantial Presence and Treaty Day-Count Tests.

On May 30^th, the IRS issued Revenue Procedure 2020-20 which provides non-U.S. individuals present in the U.S. some limited relief from the day-count tests for U.S. tax residency and for eligibility for certain treaty benefits. The relief comes in the form of the “COVID-19 Medical Condition Travel Exception”. The name of the exception is a misnomer because individuals need not have had any medical condition (including the COVID-19 virus) to claim its benefits. Continue Reading

How the New Presidential Proclamation Regarding Non-Immigrant Visas Affects Your Company

By Greg Berk, Jonathan E. Meyer, Sarah Aberg, Karl Buhler and Bochan Kim on June 24, 2020 Posted in Immigration, Labor

Presidential Proclamation

On June 22, 2020, the White House announced an extension and expansion of Proclamation 10014, which was originally announced on April 22, 2020 and restricted the issuance of and entry on immigrant visas. The new visa ban expands the restrictions to certain non-immigrant categories. Continue Reading

U.S. Government Assistance in Response to COVID-19: Investigations Are Coming

By Jonathan E. Meyer on June 16, 2020 Posted in Coronavirus

The U.S. Congress has passed a series of laws for easing the economic suffering due to COVID-19, including the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act. The CARES Act and other relief bills have appropriated about $3 trillion for assistance to companies. As companies receive these funds, attention is now turning to the oversight and enforcement that is already beginning and will vastly increase over the coming months. Continue Reading

Main Street Loan Program – US Subsidiaries of Foreign Companies Can Apply

By Valérie Demont on June 15, 2020 Posted in Coronavirus

The US Federal Reserve has confirmed in its Main Street Loans frequently-asked-questions-faqs about the Main Street lending program (the “FAQ”) that US subsidiaries of foreign companies can be eligible borrowers under the various loans available under the program so long as they otherwise meet the other conditions to eligibility for the loans. Continue Reading

The U.S. economic recovery plan: benefits, limits and risks for French companies in the United States

By Valérie Demont and Karl Buhler on May 15, 2020 Posted in Coronavirus

New York Partner Valérie Demont and Associate Karl Buhler authored an article about the CARES Act and its benefits and pitfalls for French companies doing business in the United States, which was published in the French leading legal review “Les Editions Legislatives.” Continue Reading

COVID-19–The 30-Day Mark – A Discussion by Companies on Navigating the New Reality

By Sarah Ben-Moussa and Valérie Demont on April 23, 2020 Posted in Corporate

On April 14, 2020, the Sheppard Mullin French desk hosted a webinar on the impact of COVID-19 on various business sectors. The webinar was organized as a roundtable discussion with two business leaders, Christopher Mars, the U.S. COO of Marie Blanchere, a leading European traditional bakery brand, and Daniel H. Connor, the U.S. CEO of Sia Partners, a leading international independent management and AI consulting firm. The discussion was moderated by partner and Chair of the French Desk, Valérie Demont, and associate Karl Buhler and focused on the following: Continue Reading

Alternative Sources of Capital for Foreign-Owned Businesses in the US

By Sarah Ben-Moussa and Allison Wu Troianos on April 14, 2020 Posted in Corporate

A main focus for businesses in need of capital recently has been the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which expanded the criteria under which borrowers could apply for loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), notably through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The most significant change to the PPP has been the determination that US businesses owned by foreign companies are now eligible for loans. For an overview of the terms and conditions of the program, please see our prior alert. Continue Reading

Paycheck Protection Program Loan Applications are Opening Today – Eligibility for Small US Businesses Owned by Foreign Companies

By Valérie Demont on April 3, 2020 Posted in Corporate

The Small Business Administration (“SBA”) in its implementation of the CARES Act just released an updated loan application form for borrowers who want to avail themselves of Title I – Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans. This form may be found here. Continue Reading

Overview Of The Paycheck Protection Program Under The Cares Act (Title I)

By Bijal Vira and Nirav Bhatt on March 30, 2020 Posted in Corporate, International Tax Structures

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was enacted, an economic relief package in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act provides economic support at the federal level to the business sector, employees, individuals and families, and specific industries that have been impacted, including air transportation, healthcare, and education.

Summarized below are key aspects of the Paycheck Protection Program, a $349 billion SBA-administered loan and loan forgiveness program described in Division A, Title I – Keeping American Workers Paid and Employed Act of the CARES Act. Continue Reading