How could Swedish companies be affected by Brexit and an American tax reform?

Brexit has been initiated and in the US there is a discussion about a major tax reform. What will be the effects of these developments for Swedish companies and how can they prepare themselves? Are reduced corporate tax rates and increased customs a protectionist tax trend we need to get used to? This discussion will continue in Almedalen.

Brexit, regardless of the final model to be implemented, will have major effects on trade with the UK. In the US, the President has announced a tax reform which, now at proposal stage, would imply both a reduction in taxes for American companies and individuals, as well as a “border adjustment tax” with the aim of supporting production in the US. In addition, custom duties will be increased on the import of goods to the US, and Brexit will imply, most likely, customs effects when the UK leaves the EU. The theme for our second tax seminar is – “How will Swedish companies be impacted by an American tax reform, Brexit and new international tax trends?” The seminar will be held at Hästgatan 9, a couple of blocks from Donners Plats, on Wednesday, 5 July, between 10:30-11:30 am.

Here is a short presentation of the commentators and panel participants.

Jens Orback. Jens will moderate and lead the discussion regarding the above-mentioned question on future taxation. Jens has a degree in economics and a background as Secretary General of the Olof Palme International Center, has served as a government minister and was also previously a civil servant in the Minister of Finance.

Ann Linde. Sweden’s Minister of EU Affairs and Trade. Ann has been a very clear and visible participant in this debate. She has strongly emphasized the importance of continued Swedish export, preferably in an increased volume, both to the UK and US. How does she see the current situation and what can Swedish companies expect when it comes to the UK and US in the near and medium-term future?

Peter Dahlen. Experienced former U.S. Congressional staffer from Washington D.C. and currently Managing Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Sweden. Will there be a tax reform in the US and what could it look like? What is the last word from Washington and what do people think in the US?

Andreas Hatzigeorgiou. As a very proactive Chief Economist at the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, Andreas has, in an analytical and insightful manner, highlighted the manner in which Swedish companies could be impacted by Brexit and by the free trade effects of “America first” as a strategy for the US.

Lena Sellgren. Lena is the new and very forceful Chief Economist of Business Sweden. She is increasingly visible in the debate and has Swedish export as her primary passion. Swedish export declined during 2016 but export managers are, still, positive about the future. Which effects does Lena see for Swedish export due to Brexit and developments in the US?

Björn Nordgren. Björn is Tax Director, Nordic for General Electric. He has the international arena as his clear and natural starting point and works at a strategic level in those environments where major tax and financial decisions are made and can see how tax bases are changing. How could Swedish companies be impacted by a reduction in the US corporate tax to 15 percent, a new import tax on goods imported into the US and a reduction of corporate tax in the UK to 15 percent? Is a 15 percent corporate tax rate to soon become the new norm?

Tobias Wikström. We round the discussion off with an overall commentary from a societal perspective provided by Tobias Wikström, lead-writer at the Swedish business daily, Dagens Industri and Sweden’s foremost tax journalist.

The seminar will be presented by Kajsa Boqvist, Partner and tax advisor at PwC and responsible for VAT, customs and excise taxes.

Comments

Tax matters will revert with a presentation of the participants in Wednesday’s third tax seminar, ”What does risk capital/ ownership through private equity, contribute to generational shift companies?” The seminar is to be held directly after lunch between 12:30-1:30 pm at Hästgatan 9.

During Tuesday, 4 July, we will also have a seminar on the theme,”The real estate industry and Swedish tax tsunami – where are we now and where are we headed?” This seminar will be held between 4:00-4:45 pm. Don’t miss it!

Welcome!