It seems that the political situation in the United Kingdom changes by the hour following the late-June referendum sending the U.K. out of the European Union. Despite trade between the U.S. and U.K. accounting for .5 percent of the former’s economic output, the interconnected nature of global markets and long cultural and historical ties between the two nations means that the impact will ripple across the Atlantic.

Naturally, global stocks markets have been bruised by the uncertainty, but closer to home, Oklahoma firms will also face challenges in the coming months as a result of the Brexit.

Exporters with customers inside the EU face challenges with the rising dollar, the increased value of which compared to the British pound, makes U.S. goods more expensive in Europe. The unclear regulatory environment, specifically for American firms with manufacturing operations inside the U.K. whose products are shipped to EU markets, may result in these firms facing higher costs in terms of items clearing customs and increased tariffs.

On the opposite side of the coin, for Oklahoma firms importing items from international producers, the influx of cheaper goods has the potential to benefit consumers here at home.

While President Obama’s pre-Brexit prediction that the U.K. would go to the back of the line if it left the EU in terms of a free trade agreement with the U.S., Speaker of the House Paul Ryan broached the possibility of the island nation joining NAFTA on June 28. Though no announcement of such a prospect emerged from the NAFTA leadership summit being held in Canada the following day, the addition of the U.K. would impact American businesses.

The combination of anemic domestic hiring numbers in the past two months combined with uncertainty in global markets may result in the U.S. Federal Reserve delaying its interest rate increase plan. According to Bloomberg, “Fed Chair Janet Yellen had been saying that an increase could be appropriate “in coming months,” but that language has been conspicuously absent from her speeches following a weak May jobs report.”

For Oklahoma’s small businesses and entrepreneurs though, the Fed’s delay could provide a short-term benefit. As noted in Forbes, “small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs still benefit from low interest rates, relatively loose purse strings, and the efficiency of borrowing thanks to financial technology advances.”

For the time being, Oklahoma firms have an excellent resource for all of their questions through OKGIT partner Karen Bell, British Honorary Consul in Houston, whose diplomatic jurisdiction include Texas, , Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma.

Though the state’s economy has slowed as of late, Oklahoma producers still have customers waiting to purchase Sooner State-made products. Through support services from the EXIM Bank of the Untied States, Oklahoma firms can meet new buyers for their products while safeguarding their investments against the risks of doing business abroad.

Through the EXIM Bank’s export credit insurance program, Oklahoma companies seeking to expand internationally can:

  • Grow their business in new, untapped markets
  • Offer competitive credit terms to foreign customers
  • Unlock more attractive bank financing
  • Transfer the burden of credit management
  • Realize tax benefits

To learn more about EXIM Bank’s services for Oklahoma companies, please click here.

One of the Oklahoma Governor’s International Team’s own received a distinguished award from Queen Elizabeth’s representative in Canada in late May. Canadian Governor General David Johnston presented OKGIT member and dual American-Canadian citizen Ian Ogilve with the Governor General’s Medallion during a visit to the Sooner State on May 28, 2016.

Ogilve was honored for his service in fostering closer ties between Oklahoma and Canada, in recent years helping spearhead the first visit of Canadian Consul General Sara Wilshaw to Oklahoma. Of interesting note, Governor General Johnston’s 2016 trip to Oklahoma was the first by an individual in that office. The governor general is, on the advice of the prime minister of Canada, appointed by the reigning British monarch to carry out the crown’s constitutional and ceremonial duties in the commonwealth realm. The office is non-partisan and also serves as the Canadian Armed Forces commander in chief.

On May 28, Governor General Johnston visited the Oklahoma capitol hosted by Chris Benge, Oklahoma Secretary of State and Native American Affairs in the Capitol Blue Room.

Left to right: Michael Carolina of OCAST, John Westerheide of GE Global Research Center of Oklahoma City, Scott Meacham of i2E, Sir David Johnston the Governor General of Canada, Oklahoma Secretary of State Chris Benge, Consul General of Canada in Dallas Sara Wilshaw, Jim Nickel of Global Affairs Canada, Stephen McKeever Oklahoma Secretary of Science and Technology.

Left to right: Michael Carolina of OCAST, John Westerheide of GE Global Research Center of Oklahoma City, Scott Meacham of i2E, Sir David Johnston the Governor General of Canada, Oklahoma Secretary of State Chris Benge, Consul General of Canada in Dallas Sara Wilshaw, Jim Nickel of Global Affairs Canada and Stephen McKeever Oklahoma Secretary of Science and Technology.

The same day, the governor general wrote an op-ed for The Oklahoman, which can be read here on fostering closer American-Canadian cultural and economic ties.

The ties between Oklahoma and Canada emblematic of the U.S.-Canadian relationship, with Canada’s role as the U.S.’s largest export market, more than 50,000 jobs in Oklahoma depend on the $6 billion trading relationship. As the governor general noted in his op-ed, a significant portion of that trade involves the oil and gas industry.

“Energy is an important component,” he wrote. “Canada contributes to North American energy security, with Canadian oil joining crude from Oklahoma, North Dakota, Texas and other states at North America’s oil supply hub at Cushing. Meanwhile, more than half of Oklahoma’s exports to Canada consist of equipment and machinery. We’re also partners in aerospace, agriculture and a growing number of science, innovation and education initiatives.”

(Top photo: Consul General Sara Wilshaw (left) and His Excellency the Right Honorable David Johnston (right) present Ian Ogilve (center) with the Governor General’s Medallion.)

From our friends at the U.S. Department of Trade…” How well do you know the Foreign Trade Regulations (FTR) and the Automated Export System (AES)? Do you have a transition plan to the ACE platform? Do you understand how to classify your commodities? This export compliance seminar is a one-day program bringing together experts from the U.S. Department of Commerce to provide training on export filing requirements.”

When and where:

  • Thursday, July 21, 2016
  • 8:15 AM – 5:00 PM (Registration / Breakfast at 7:30 AM; Lunch included)
  • Cost: $225/person
  • University of Miami School of Business, Storer Auditorium, 5250 University Drive, Miami, FL 33146

Oklahoma firms interested in manufacturing, exports, customs and compliance software will learn:

  • Regulations/filing requirements of the FTR
  • How to avoid common penalties and seizure of cargo
  • AESDirect transition to Automated Commercial Environment (ACE)
  • How to classify your product by Schedule B number and Export Control Classification Number (ECCN)
  • BIS export control requirements
  • Export enforcement
  • Identifying red flags
  • Best practices for maintaining compliance

On site will also be speakers and professionals from the U.S. Census Bureau’s branches of Commodity Analysis, Automated Export System, and Regulations as well as the Bureau of Industry and Security,customs and border Protection and the Department of Homeland Security.

For More Information and to Register visit: www.export.gov/florida/aes

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker presented CCK Strategies with the President’s “E” Award for Export Service at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., May 16. The President’s “E” Award is the highest recognition any U.S. entity can receive for making a significant contribution to the expansion of U.S. exports.

“Congratulations to CCK Strategies being honored today for its achievements in exporting,” said Secretary Pritzker of the Tulsa-based global tax and accounting firm. “The “E” Awards Committee was very impressed with the organization’s work to help exporters understand the export process and enter new international markets. Their success contributes to growth, job creation, competitiveness, and the success of the American economy.”

“This year’s “E” Award winners have shown tremendous dedication to expanding into foreign markets, often overcoming significant barriers,” said Thomas Strauss, Southern Regional Director of U.S. Commercial Service. “Having access to tools and resources provided by the U.S. Commercial Service, these businesses are better primed for tapping into global market opportunities where 95 percent of all consumers exist.”

CCK Partner Eric Kunkel expressed, “CCK has the good fortune to work with many successful companies which are making substantial contributions to the U.S. Economy with innovation, quality new jobs and economic development. Exporting is crucial to the success of these businesses. This recognition for CCK is a direct reflection of the great work being done by our entrepreneurial clients.”

In 1961, President Kennedy signed an executive order reviving the World War II “E” symbol of excellence to honor and provide recognition to America’s exporters. In 2015, U.S. exports totaled $2.23 trillion, accounting for nearly 13 percent of U.S. GDP. Nationally, exports contributed to the U.S. economy, supporting an estimated 11.5 million jobs.

U.S. companies are nominated for the “E” Awards through the Department of Commerce’s U.S. Commercial Service office network. Criteria for the award is based on four years of successive export growth and case studies which demonstrate valuable support to exporters resulting in increased exports for the company’s clients.

CCK is a non-traditional firm that connects globally by working with companies headquartered on four continents with operations in over 25 countries. CCK export revenue from international clients was approximately 21% of CCK’s year 2015 gross revenue, reflecting an increase of approximately 87% from year 2014 export revenue as a percentage of total revenue. This increase in international sales has been a principal driver in CCK employment rise over the last year from 61 to 83 total staff, making CCK one of the largest CPA firms in Oklahoma. The continued growth brings expertise to clients with a variety of business needs in international business consulting and planning, IC-DISC implementation, foreign tax credits, outbound and inbound structure planning, worldwide tax minimization planning, transfer pricing analysis, ASC 740 (FAS 109/FIN 48) and IFRS/GAAP convergence.

Oklahoma depends on world markets, with export shipments of merchandise in 2015 from the state totaling $5.3 billion, which support approximately 36,000 jobs. Foreign controlled companies employ approximately 46,000 Oklahoma workers. Over 3,000 companies export from Oklahoma locations with approximately 84% of these being small and medium-sized companies with fewer than 500 employees.

Last month, CCK Strategies was honored with the 2016 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Exporting. This prestigious award recognizes one or more Oklahoma firms annually for noteworthy success in increasing export sales. The award was presented at the Governor’s luncheon during the 33rd Annual Oklahoma World Trade conference. CCK Strategies’ clients represent two-thirds of the companies honored by these Statewide Export Awards in 2014 and 2015. This reflects CCK’s continuing commitment with clients in the international and export marketplace in tax, accounting and consulting matters.

The country’s premier export promotion magazine is out in digital format for May 2016. Export USA offers Oklahoma exporters an affordable way to promote their products and services to 178 countries around the globe.

Read the May-June 2016 edition here.

It’s not just a good read though, as Export USA has connections that Oklahoma exporters need to market their quality products to a wide range of audiences. Rates for inclusion to the magazine’s USA Product Showcase begin at $299.

Learn more by calling 1-800-581-8533 or sign-up at thinkglobal.us/499.

If you have a great product but don’t have the budget for an in-house marketing team, Export USA partner agency ThinkGlobal helps with the development of professional content for your website, mobile devices and print marketing.

Call 1-800-581-8533 or email  thinkglobal.net for more information.

Shared via our friends at www.GlobalTrade.net, with better relations on the horizon under new Argentine President Mauricio Macri, now may be the time for Oklahoma companies to assess opportunities and risks to doing business with Argentina.

The agricultural biotechnology sector in Argentina

Argentina continues to be the third largest producer of biotech crops after the United States and Brazil, producing 14 percent of the world ́s total biotech crops. China’s approval of GE events continues to be a top priority for Argentine foreign trade.

See the full Federation of International Trade Association’s report for Argentina online here.

(Top photo: American President Barak Obama shares a toast with new Argentine President Mauricio Macri. Photo courtesy www.WhiteHouse.gov)

There is an excellent opportunity for Oklahoma businesses to send a delegate to the 10th Global Project Plaza in Seoul, South Korea on May 24-26, which includes a free round trip flight and three night stay at the InterContinental Seoul COEX.

Global Project Plaza is the principal global platform for industry/resource cooperation. Held every year since 2008, the event is designed to develop a more concrete business relationship and explore potential contract opportunities between guests from overseas and Korean contractors. GPP is designed to nurture stronger relations with reputable Korean companies in the construction, energy, plant, engineering (EPC) and finance industries.

The deadline to apply closes Friday, April 15, so don’t hesitate to throw your hat in the ring for this exciting opportunity shared with us from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.

For more information or if interested in attending, please contact Benjamin Brand from the KOTRA North America HQ office in New York City at 212-826-0900 ext. 225 or by email benbrand.kotra@gmail.com. Deadline for applicants is April 15th.

Download the brochure at http://tinyurl.com/jzvmvoc.

Looking for overseas investment and trade opportunities? Why cross the ocean when you can head south to huge potential markets in the Americans?

Registration is now open for the U.S. Commercial Service and the South Florida District Export Council’s international business conference that will show U.S. businesses how to take advantage of established and emerging export opportunities in the Americas.

This event will provide participants up-to-date market intelligence and help develop practical strategies for exporting your goods and services into new markets.

Discover Global Markets: The Americas will feature high‐ranking U.S. government officials, visiting U.S. commercial diplomats and specialists posted at U.S. embassies abroad and international business leaders.

Discover Global Markets: The Americas also will provide opportunities to network with U.S. trade officials and diplomats, industry experts and other U.S. exporters.

Register by April 15 to qualify for a reduced “Early Bird” rate of $349. Registrations received after April 15 are $395 per person.

Shared via our resident New Jersey connection, OKGIT member George Lee of Red Devil Inc., these trade events and opportunities will be  hosted via our partners at the U.S. Commercial Service’s Northern New Jersey office in the coming month. Many of these are webinars, so no need to fly out to the Garden State!