MARCH 2026

Since 1989 SACC-DC has offered a platform for developing U.S. – Swedish commercial ventures and professional opportunities through our network, business and social events. The SACC-DC Newsletter will help you stay on top of what’s happening in the Swedish-American business community and find the perfect opportunity to create new business connections in the greater Washington D.C. area and including Maryland and Virginia.

WORDS FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dear friends of SACC-DC,

After an unusually cold season, the arrival of spring is a most welcome sight. How wonderful it is to see the once icy Potomac River now framed by blossoming cherry trees, magnolias, and other signs of renewed life.

This newsletter features a rich selection of interesting highlights. First and foremost, SACC-DC is proud to welcome our newest corporate member, BAE Systems Bofors, represented by Patrik Selling. The company has a long-standing history in Sweden, and we look forward to meeting Patrik and his colleagues from BAE Systems at the upcoming Nordic Innovation Forum (NIF) (see details below).

In our previous newsletter, I briefly mentioned two new trade-related positions at the Embassy of Sweden: the recently arrived Agricultural Advisor, Mr. Nils Roos, and the Defense Industry Attaché, Mr. Henrik Petersson. In this issue, both Mr. Roos and Mr. Petersson provide a more detailed overview of their respective roles and the potential impact they may have on Swedish–American trade.

Several exciting events are coming up in the months ahead. First on the calendar is the annual Nordic Innovation Forum, launching on April 21 in collaboration with NorCham and the embassies of Finland, Norway, and Sweden. This year’s forum will focus on commercial and trade opportunities within emerging technologies for drones and autonomous vehicles in future battlefields. The program features a distinguished lineup of speakers and panelists, including Swedish Rear Admiral Fredrik Lindén and BAE Systems’ Patrik Selling.

On May 1, SACC-USA will host its annual flagship event, the Executive Forum. This year’s forum promises to be especially compelling, with an impressive group of panelists sharing very timely business and political insights. For more information, please visit SACC Executive Forum.

Later in the month, on May 13, SACC-DC will partner with the Embassy of Sweden to invite all members in good standing to an evening of trade-related discussions and networking. Weather permitting, part of the event will take place on the Embassy’s rooftop. Additional details will be shared shortly, so please stay tuned through our social media channels.

Looking further ahead, SACC-DC has already begun planning another flagship event – the annual SACC Open Golf Tournament. This year’s tournament will be held at Blue Mash Golf Club in Maryland on October 15, immediately following AUSA, as in previous years. We invite companies seeking visibility at this popular event to join our sponsors, including Platinum Sponsor Nammo and Gold Sponsor Volvo Cars. For sponsorship inquiries, please contact me at robert.andersson@sacc-dc.org.

I look forward to seeing you at one - or many - of these upcoming events.

Warm regards,

Robert Andersson

Executive Director

REMINDER: SACC-DC MEMBER DIRECTORY - LAUNCHING SOON

Last month, we introduced our new initiative to strengthen connections within the SACC-DC community — a secure, members-only directory.

We’re excited to share that the directory will soon be up and running! A separate email has been sent with details to all members.

If you would like to be featured, please make sure to respond to that email as soon as possible so we can finalize and launch the directory. Your participation will help us create a valuable networking tool that fosters stronger connections, collaboration, and outreach across our growing community.

RECENT EVENTS

Thank you to everyone who took the time to join our Wealth Management Webinar—we truly appreciate your engagement.

A special thanks to Andrejs and Andrew at Cerity Partners for hosting and delivering such valuable insights.

NEW CORPORATE MEMBERS

We are happy to present our new corporate member BAE Systems Bofors to our chamber, and we recently sat down with the Director of Naval Sales Patrik Selling for an interview about the company.

Who are BAE Systems Bofors and how did it begin?

The story of BAE Systems Bofors stretches back to the 17th century, when the company began as a small ironworks. Around 150 years ago, it evolved into a steel producer, before eventually becoming a renowned manufacturer of advanced weapon systems. A pivotal figure in this transformation was Alfred Nobel, who introduced a strong culture of innovation that continues to shape the company today.

Today, BAE Systems Bofors is a Swedish entity within the global BAE Systems group. The parent company is headquartered in London and the US entity that Bofors is a part of is headquartered in Virginia and quite large.

Bofors remains deeply rooted in Sweden. Its intellectual property, engineering expertise, and product development are firmly based in Swedish industry, with operations centered in Karlskoga—the historic heart of Bofors’ innovation in artillery systems, explosives, and advanced technologies. The company became part of an American ownership structure before ultimately being integrated into the British-based BAE Systems around 2005. This marked a shift toward a more international identity.

What has changed in recent years?

Global developments—particularly since 2016–2017—have reshaped the defense industry. Deteriorating geopolitical conditions, including the war in Ukraine, have accelerated demand for advanced defense capabilities. While technological expertise has always been a strength, the opportunities to fully leverage it have grown significantly in recent years.

Government support has increased, with a stronger emphasis on security of supply and national resilience. Unlike the post-Cold War era—when defense materiel was often treated like any other commercial product—there is now a renewed strategic focus.

Regional cooperation has also strengthened, particularly in the Nordic countries following Sweden and Finland’s NATO membership. At the same time, the EU has taken a more active role in defense, driven by support for Ukraine and broader geopolitical tensions involving countries such as China and Iran.

How important is collaboration?

Collaboration remains a cornerstone of success. Partnerships with major players in the United States and the United Kingdom bring valuable expertise, resources, and complementary capabilities. By combining these strengths with Bofors’ high-quality products, the company continues to achieve strong results—particularly through integrations with U.S. platforms and systems.

Cooperation within Northern Europe has also intensified, while smaller, innovative companies are increasingly contributing fresh ideas and technologies. This growing ecosystem fosters innovation and agility across the industry.

What are the main challenges ahead?

Despite strong momentum, challenges remain. One major issue is ensuring a fast and effective connection between industry and end users. Creating shorter feedback loops between those who develop systems and those who operate them is critical—but often hindered by bureaucracy and complex organizational structures.

Another challenge lies in maintaining flexibility. As technological development accelerates, products must be designed to quickly incorporate new ideas and innovations. This requires greater interaction across larger networks than ever before, while also overcoming legacy systems that can slow progress.

NEW STAFF AT THE EMBASSY OF SWEDEN

We are proud to introduce the new staff at the Embassy of Sweden to our SACC-DC family! As part of their welcome, we recently sat down with Henrik Petersson and Nils Roos.

Defense Industry Attaché Henrik Petersson

Could you briefly describe your role and main responsibilities?

The Defense Industry Attaché position is a newly established position at the Embassy within the Office of the Defense Attachés. Thus, this is the first time the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (FMV) has established such a position in the U.S. so part of my mission in the beginning is also to shape the role and its content. The position is also connected to the Swedish Government assignment to FMV to act as the defense industry agency in Sweden.

My primary responsibility is to work with defense industrial base issues from both a Swedish and an U.S. perspective i.e. the transatlantic link. As example, this includes monitoring of the policy and legal developments in U.S. within the defense industry area, to support Swedish interests, support the Swedish defense and security industry in issues such as market access, local establishments and partnerships in the U.S.

An important task is to build good relations with the US administration as well as maintaining a close dialogue with the U.S. industrial base. With Sweden as a member of NATO combined with the current geopolitical situation and massive investments in defense on both sides of the Atlantic, we can see that new opportunities are emerging for transatlantic investments and collaborations that were previously difficult to establish. A part of my role is therefore to explore possible U.S. defense industry investments in Sweden. This can range from innovation and research to local establishments. The role also involves identifying new collaboration opportunities such as coproduction of U.S. products in Sweden.

What are the key functions of your position within your organization?

A core function is to monitor developments within the defense industrial base, particularly from a transatlantic perspective. There is significant activity both in the U.S. and in Europe, and an important part of the role is to report back to Sweden and provide a clear situational overview.

Another key responsibility is to understand the priorities of the U.S. administration—what is being done, why, and what opportunities this creates for Swedish stakeholders. Sweden has a long-standing relationship with the U.S. and a strong reputation, providing a solid foundation for further collaboration.

How does your work relate to Swedish–American business relations?

It is about supporting Swedish defense industrial base interests and needs as well as to explore the American defense industrial base interests vis-à-vis Sweden.

In what ways is your role relevant for Swedish companies operating in the United States?

This position strengthens the embassy’s capacity to work with defense industry matters and provides a clear point of contact for Swedish and U.S. companies in the sector. My background with nearly 40 years in the defense and security industry brings an additional perspective that complements the embassy’s existing expertise. The aim is to contribute with that experience and my network to support companies in establishing and expanding their presence in the U.S.

It is also important to note that U.S. national security considerations today often extend beyond the traditional defense industry. Swedish companies in other sectors such as telecommunications and heavy industry may also be affected by these dynamics, and I am looking forward to working with all sections within the Embassy on such issues.

Overall, the role is about strengthening the conditions for Swedish companies to operate and grow in the U.S., within an increasingly complex business environment.

Nils Roos – Agricultural Counsellor

Department of Trade and Economic Affairs

Can you briefly describe your role and your main responsibilities?

I am posted by the Ministry of Rural Affairs and Infrastructure and serve here as Agricultural Counsellor. My mandate covers three main areas: agriculture, food, and forestry policy. As Agricultural Counselor at the Embassy of Sweden in Washington, D.C., my role is to support and further develop the relationship between Sweden and the United States in agriculture, food, forestry, and related industries. There is strong monitoring of tariffs and financial markets, and trade is a key issue for the Embassy. I contribute by adding a niche perspective within agriculture and related sectors, particularly forestry—such as how forests are utilized, depending on Swedish interests in the United States.

My work is highly flexible and responsive. I am here to support Swedish companies by making it easier for them to enter the U.S. market or expand their existing exports. I also monitor developments within my areas of responsibility in the U.S. and report back to the Ministry. A third key responsibility is to build relationships and strengthen ties between Sweden and the United States—by being accessible, showcasing what Sweden has to offer, and developing a strong network here.

What are the most important functions of your position within your organization?

One of the most important functions is monitoring developments. The market has been turbulent recently, and the political landscape is unpredictable. There is uncertainty around tariffs and their impact on global markets. These factors influence trade flows, which can affect Swedish trade not only with the U.S. but also with other countries. This uncertainty alone can create concern among exporters, especially those looking to enter the U.S. market. Additionally, the U.S. market is highly dynamic and consumer-driven. It is very sensitive to trends—for example, the growing focus on health and protein content in products. It is important to track these trends and communicate them to Swedish companies so they better understand the market.

Another key function is engaging with other stakeholders. It is important to maintain open dialogue with organizations such as Business Sweden and the Swedish-American Chambers of Commerce (SACC), as well as with Swedish companies, to explore opportunities for collaboration.

I have a national mandate, meaning my mission covers the entire United States—not just Washington, D.C. My goal is to be present where needed, including at the Consulates General in Houston, New York, and San Francisco, and wherever there is interest or demand.

How does your work relate to Swedish-American business relations?

One of my key roles as Agricultural Counsellor is to facilitate and enable cooperation. It is important to recognize that I am one of several actors in this space. For example, Business Sweden has strong market knowledge and technical expertise.

My role is to support Swedish companies in situations where agricultural expertise is particularly relevant or critical. I also see it as part of my role to help define how this position fits into the broader ecosystem. This is a new role—for me, for the Embassy, for the Ministry, and for companies operating in the U.S.—so how I can best contribute and create value will be something we continue to develop together.

In what ways can your presence or role be relevant for Swedish companies currently operating in the U.S.?

For companies already established in the U.S., it is important that they are aware of my role and that I am here to promote Sweden and Swedish businesses. There are many opportunities to showcase Swedish products through Embassy and Consulate activities—such as events or initiatives like “Taste of Sweden.” If Swedish exporters already have products on the U.S. market, these events offer valuable opportunities for visibility and exposure, particularly in Washington, D.C.

D.C. is a strategic location, as many decision-makers are based there, even if they represent other states. This makes it an effective platform for companies looking to increase brand awareness and build key connections.

New USTR Section 301 Investigations: Key Implications for Global Trade

Pillsbury's Global Trade and Sanctions Blog posted: The Office of the United States Trade Representative announced new Section 301 investigations on March 11 targeting “structural excess capacity” in manufacturing across multiple countries, including China, the EU, Japan, India, and others. These countries are seen as having persistent overproduction or unused industrial capacity, often linked to government policies, which may contribute to global trade imbalances and U.S. trade deficits.

The investigations could provide a legal basis for future tariffs, especially as temporary Section 122 duties expire later in 2026. While new duties are not expected for countries outside this list, additional Section 301 actions (e.g., on forced labor or digital services) may follow.

Key deadline: Companies can submit comments by April 15, 2026, with a hearing scheduled for May 5. This gives businesses an opportunity to argue for exemptions or increased protections depending on how they are affected.

The probe focuses on sectors like steel, autos, semiconductors, electronics, and energy goods—industries the U.S. views as heavily impacted by global overcapacity.

Crown Princess Victoria Strengthens Sweden–U.S. Ties in Texas

Crown Princess Victoria launched a U.S. visit in Houston to inaugurate Sweden’s new Consulate General, underscoring growing economic and diplomatic ties between Sweden and Texas.

During the visit, she met with Swedish business leaders, engaged with researchers at Rice University, and highlighted opportunities for Swedish companies in one of the fastest-growing U.S. markets.

The trip reflects Sweden’s strategic push to expand its commercial footprint in the U.S., particularly in Texas, while also reinforcing broader transatlantic relations. It also signals the Crown Princess’s evolving role in foreign policy and security matters, especially in the context of Sweden’s NATO membership.

Her visit continues to Austin and Norfolk, where she is expected to engage with U.S. and NATO-linked institutions—further emphasizing Sweden’s deepening political, economic, and defense cooperation with the United States.