FEBRUARY 2025 NEWSLETTER

In view of the quickly changing government regulations, we are offering an informal chat time with Tom Cook, CEO of Blue Tiger International, New York DEC Member, and NADEC Board Member. This will be in meeting format, so bring your questions!

Don't miss this second session of the Africa series, featuring Toyin Umesiri, Board Member of the Illinois DEC, Westrock Coffee Company, Export/Import Trainer and host of her own television show, Quantum Leap!

Richard Duda, Director

U.S. Commercial Service – Little Rock Export Assistance Center

U.S. Department of Commerce | International Trade Administration

+1 501-324-5795 (direct)

+1 501-324-5794 (office)

+1 501-251-7472 (mobile)

700 W. Capitol Avenue, Room 4413, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201

Richard is always available to help Arkansas exporters with researching markets, developing export strategies and finding investment capital. Contact him today! 

February 11, 2025

4:00 PM Central Time

Cost: $25

Join senior leaders from the Department of State, the Department of Commerce, Australian Government, and Aerospace Industries Association for an AUKUS webinar covering recent defense trade reforms that seek to bolster the trilateral partnership and better facilitate defense trade between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

What is the AUKUS Exemption: This webinar follows a key interim final rule published by the Department of State known as the ‘AUKUS Exemption,’ or the ‘§ 126.7 exemption’, designed to facilitate billions of dollars in secure, license-free defense trade. Under this exemption, the vast majority of commercial defense trade for both AUKUS and non-AUKUS programs is eligible for transfer between AUS-UK-US.

Who Should Attend: This is a unique opportunity for companies, compliance professionals, and country managers involved in the AUKUS landscape to hear directly from the leaders involved in shaping the defense trade between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Speakers:

• Chris Deeble, Australian Deputy Secretary, Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group, Australia Department of Defense
• Michael Vaccaro, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Defense Trade Controls,

U.S. Department of State

• Philip Johnson, Chief of Staff, Export Administration, Bureau of Industry and Security, Department of Commerce
• Dak Hardwick, Vice President, International Affairs, Aerospace Industries Association

Questions? Contact Patrik Kjos, IA Office of Aerospace

Doug Hartley, U.S. Embassy - Canberra

Jason Sproule, Aerospace Defense Team

DEFENSE EXPORT HANDBOOK Now Available

The International Trade Administration’s (ITA) Office of Transportation and Machinery (OTM) is pleased to announce a new comprehensive handbook designed to assist companies in the U.S. defense industry to navigate the complexities of exporting their products to foreign markets. With this Defense Export Handbook, ITA delivers valuable information to support American businesses in expanding their global reach while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Click here to access the handbook.

The handbook is divided into six main parts. It begins with an overview of defense trade, cataloging the range of laws, government strategy documents, policies, regulations, and multilateral export control regimes that govern defense trade. The handbook also describes how to pursue defense trade, outlining the differences between the processes for foreign military sales (FMS) and direct commercial sales (DCS). We then provide three steps for defense trade:

1. Identifying Opportunities and Understanding the Market
2. Determining Export Controls and License Requirements
3. Export Promotion

The handbook concludes with other considerations for exporters, including offsets and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, as well as a list of major aerospace and defense trade shows and additional resources for exporters.

For more information, please contact Rick Cieri (rick.cieri@trade.gov) from OTM’s Aerospace Team, located in ITA’s Industry and Analysis division.

Join Us for the AES Export Compliance Webinar – Secure Your Spot Today!

We are excited to invite you to the AES Export Compliance Webinar, a two-day virtual event designed to provide you with the tools and insights needed to navigate U.S. export regulations confidently.

When:

• Day 1: Wednesday, March 12 | 12:00 – 4:15 PM EST
• Day 2: Thursday, March 13 | 12:00 – 4:15 PM EST

Where: Virtual

Cost: $125 per attendee - Early Bird & Group Discounts Available. Space is limited.

Register by Feb 10 to take advantage of the early bird discount. Discount code must be applied at check-out EarlyBird-ACE 

What You’ll Learn:

Learn directly from experts at the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Industry & Security, EXIM Bank, and more. Topics include:

• Automated Commercial Environment (ACE)/ Automated Export System (AES) Direct Filings
• Updates to Foreign Trade Regulations (FTR) and regulatory changes
• Export Finance tools by EXIM Bank
• Export Reports in ACE for compliance management
• An overview of U.S. Export Controls

This event is perfect for U.S. companies of all sizes, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, freight forwarders, compliance managers, manufacturers, and logistics professionals.

Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your export knowledge!

Unlock new business opportunities in the Americas with the U.S. Commercial Service (CS) at Trade Winds, the U.S. government’s largest trade mission and business development forum. 

Trade Winds – The Americas will be held in São Paolo, Brazil from April 7-9, 2025 with optional B2B matchmaking stops in Colombia and Uruguay (April 3-4), and Argentina and Chile (April 10-11).  

Why Brazil?

• Brazil has the largest consumer market and GDP in Latin America and is the U.S.’s top export destination in the region.
• The commercial relationship advanced in 2022 when a U.S.-Brazil Protocol took effect that includes commitments on customs administration, trade facilitation, good regulatory practices and anticorruption.
• Best prospects for U.S. goods/services include aviation, energy, healthcare, IT and safety and security.

See what our most senior commercial officer in Brazil says about the market!

"Brazil is a vibrant market with diverse opportunities. Trade Winds - The Americas will provide valuable insight and support for entering or expanding in Brazil and across The Americas. Collaborating with the U.S. Commercial Service can always help you navigate regulatory hurdles, connect with local partners, and leverage market intelligence. Trade Winds -The Americas is well-positioned to guide your business through these complexities and make the path to market entry and expansion smoother."  

Nicole DeSilvis, Minister Counselor of Commercial Affairs at the U.S. Embassy Brazil

Arkansas World Trade Center

The World Trade Center Arkansas is dedicated to growing bilateral trade for Arkansas, delivering world-class services, global connections, and trade development programs to grow all Arkansas businesses.

Contact Denise Thomas to see how they can help you!

Arkansas Manufacturing Solutions

Arkansas Manufacturing Solutions (AMS) has launched the Arkansas Manufacturing Network, powered by Sustainment.

This digital marketplace is a new tool designed to help Arkansas manufacturers navigate supply chains and increase their connections in a hyperconnected industry. 

The Arkansas Manufacturing Network offers a wider buying audience to statewide manufacturers and new opportunity sources within and outside the state. The network is simple to use as any manufacturer may register and take advantage of the tools at no cost.

Contact Doug Gardner at AMS with your questions and to get started. You'll be glad you did!

Colton Rook​​​​

Business Development

V. Alexander & Co., Inc

Tel # 901-795-7761 ext 1296

crook@valexander.com

Fax # 901-363-1054

www.valexander.com | Excellence, one transaction at a time.

ILA officials to meet next week as ratification of USMX deal looms | Journal of Commerce

ILA members meet next to begin the ratification process for the new deal that was agreed upon earlier in Jan. The process will begin with leadership selling the new deal to the its members and then a subsequent vote will be taken. Should the union vote in favor, the new contract will be implemented and imported on the East and Gulf coasts can breathe a sigh of relief finally for what has been a rollercoaster of a year with the negotiations. The contract states that union members will be entitled to a 62% raise over the next 6 years as well as minimum staffing requirements as “partial automation” is set to be implemented. Both sides are still adhering to the media black out request and have denied further comments.

Please feel free to contact us. If we don't know the answer, we'll find someone who does!

Heidi Whitman, Administrative Coordinator



Arkansas exports $5.6 billion in goods around the world and supports 39,000 jobs in the state and nation! Our top three exports are transportation equipment, processed foods and chemicals, primarily to the nations of Canada, Mexico and the United Kingdom. 

The mission of the Arkansas District Export Council is to promote and support international trade activities and awareness throughout the State of Arkansas.