The Art of the Ordeal: Negotiating Settlements with the Government in the Era of ‘National Economic Security’

As trade policy transforms into a primary weapon of national security, transnational corporations find themselves facing unprecedented regulatory scrutiny across multiple jurisdictions. With ever-increasing risk of administrative, civil and criminal enforcement, firms need to address both when an investigation could occur and how to master the negotiations that follow. 

This panel will deconstruct the high-stakes interaction between transnational corporations and agencies on both sides of the Atlantic in the context of trade and national security, including export, import and investment control; trade defence/trade remedies and trade disputes; customs and tariffs; government procurement; and transnational mergers and acquisitions (M&A).  

This session will examine: 

• the changing compliance landscape: understanding the shift towards increased enforcement capabilities, criminal remedies and ‘compliance by force’ 

• the government’s playbook: understanding culture, incentives and motivations of trade/national security agencies and how geopolitics and geoeconomics influence their thinking 

• negotiation nuance: defining the nature of a ‘win’ and assessing bargaining leverage; and understanding how to pivot when your counterparty could shut you down 

• strategic resolution: the challenges of and opportunities in monitorships, auditorships and structural remedies 

• a how-to guide: best practices for securing a win when the stakes are high and political scrutiny intense