September 25, 2025, Managing Trade & Customs in Times of US – EU Tensions by Svalner Atlas Group

Date: September 25, 2025
Time: 15.00-18.30
Venue: Svalner Atlas Group
Weteringschans 24
1017 SG Amsterdam

Managing Trade & Customs in Times of US – EU Tensions

On Thursday, September 25, 2025, we hosted an event in collaboration with Swedish Chamber Patron Member Svalner Atlas Advisors, bringing together experts from both Sweden and the Netherlands.

As geopolitical tensions and trade uncertainties between the US and EU continue to escalate, many European companies are facing growing pressure to adapt their tax and customs strategies. In this session, we explored how a strategic approach to customs, VAT, and transfer pricing can help multinational enterprises reduce risk, enhance supply chain performance, and seize competitive advantage.

From the implications of US tariff measures and evolving EU legislation to the intersection of environmental policy and customs procedures, our speakers provided practical guidance for navigating today’s fast-moving trade landscape. The key message: Trade compliance is no longer just about ticking boxes, it’s about empowering smarter, more resilient business decisions across the entire value chain.

Key findings:

Milad Samadi – Svalner Atlas Advisors (Customs & Trade Strategy)

• Focused on navigating international border crossings through litigation, advisory, and policy advocacy.
• Outlined the fast-changing global trade landscape, particularly the ongoing US–EU trade tensions and unpredictability of new tariffs.
• Criticised the concept of baseline tariffs, highlighting that not all goods carry the same economic or societal value.
• Explained the limitations of trade deficit statistics and how they often misrepresent the actual balance of economic exchange.
• Discussed upcoming developments:
  • US–EU trade deal expected in November.
  • US Supreme Court ruling on the legality of certain trade measures.
• Urged businesses to plan carefully, evaluate regularly, and avoid overreacting to short-term changes.
• Mentioned the burden of EU legislation (over 13,000 acts), much of which affects trade through customs procedures.

Klara Käll – Svalner Atlas Advisors (VAT)

• Provided insights into Value Added Tax (VAT) and its role in cross-border trade.
• Explained that VAT is usually not a cost when handled correctly; it’s meant to be passed on to the end customer and reclaimed by businesses.
• Emphasised the importance of:
  • Registering for VAT in advance when importing into different countries.
  • Ensuring all documentation is complete and timely to avoid delays and penalties.
• Pointed out that
  • Proper planning prevents cash flow issues and avoids VAT becoming an unintended cost.

Petter Lohi – Svalner Atlas Advisors (Transfer Pricing)

• Discussed the difference between transfer pricing and market pricing in the context of multinational groups.
• Explained that pricing decisions are based on:
  • Functions, risks, and assets of each entity in the value chain (e.g., HQ vs. distributor).
  • Where value is created within the group.
• Outlined different transfer pricing methods, noting that some align more closely with customs valuation than others.
• Addressed the impact of tariffs on transfer pricing:
  • Companies may need to lower prices on goods to maintain profitability amid rising import taxes.

Speakers List: