The America-Eurasia Business Coalition’s first Star of Excellence Award went to The Ford Motor Company who sponsored AEBC’s first business roundtable discussion with representatives from countries in Europe and Asia.

Ford has announced the next phase of its European transformation, reinforcing its commitment to the region for both retail and commercial customers with a strategy focused on agility, cost efficiency, and a sharpened brand promise.

Ford’s strategy for Europe is built on three pillars – further strengthening its successful Ford Pro commercial vehicle division, expanding the Ford passenger car range with distinctive new vehicles, and optimizing its industrial system to drive scale and cost efficiencies.

Ford Motor Company is an iconic American manufacturer, assembling a large portion of its vehicles in the U.S. with popular models like the F-150, Bronco, Mustang, Explorer, and Ranger built in plants across Michigan, Missouri, Illinois, and Kentucky, employing thousands of American workers and investing heavily in domestic production, including new EV facilities.  Nearly 80% of the vehicles Ford sells in the U.S. are assembled domestically.

Caterpillar Inc. has extensive operations across Europe and Asia, with major presences in the UK (manufacturing, R&D, distribution), China (manufacturing diverse equipment), Singapore (Asia Pacific HQ, parts, manufacturing), India (manufacturing), and significant dealer networks and sales in countries like Italy, France, and Russia/Eurasia, serving vital sectors like construction, mining, and energy with localized manufacturing, distribution, and dedicated sales support. These regions are crucial for Caterpillar's global strategy, balancing regional economic conditions, like weaker excavator demand in China, with long-term growth opportunities, supported by local dealer networks and facilities. 

Caterpillar employs thousands in the U.S. and operates over 65 key locations in 25 states, including major facilities in Illinois (East Peoria, Decatur) and Indiana (Lafayette). Caterpillar workers in the U.S. build products that are shipped worldwide, making it a significant U.S. net exporter. In essence, Caterpillar is a quintessential American manufacturing success story, deeply rooted in the U.S. and serving global markets from its American production base. 

Baker McKenzie is a leading global law firm with extensive operations across Europe, the Middle East (EMEA), and the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, known for its integrated network, strong local expertise, and high rankings in key practice areas like Tax, Employment, TMT, and Dispute Resolution, helping clients navigate complex cross-border issues in dynamic markets. They offer a wide range of services from corporate and finance to energy and technology, leveraging their global reach to provide pragmatic, client-focused legal advice. 

Jonathan Nelms accepted the Star of Excellence Award on Baker McKenzie’s behalf, given the extensive experience that the law firm has had in Europe and Asia (Eurasia). Baker & McKenzie has a significant presence with numerous offices in major cities across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific (including Japan, Vietnam, Thailand); a deep local knowledge combined with a global perspective, crucial for multinational clients; it focuses on key sectors like Energy, Infrastructure, Financial Institutions, Healthcare, and Technology, with innovative solutions for better collaboration on multi-jurisdictional matters. 

Citi is strategically shifting focus in Europe and Asia from consumer banking to wealth management and institutional clients, exiting retail operations in 13 markets (like India, China, Australia) since 2021 to streamline, while strengthening its presence in core markets like Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, and major European financial hubs (London, Frankfurt, etc.) to serve global clients with cross-border needs. They leverage their global network for institutional banking, private banking, and wealth management in these regions, emphasizing growth in Asia's innovation and wealth hubs. 

Citi's overall approach is to be a preeminent banking partner for institutions with cross-border needs and a global leader in wealth management, leveraging its network spanning 160 jurisdictions worldwide.  Hong Kong and Singapore serve as primary wealth management hubs. The bank provides a full suite of services including investment banking, commercial banking, private banking, and transaction services to corporations and institutions. The investment banking pipeline, particularly in M&A in China and India, is predicted to be strong in 2026.

Boeing International’s global reach includes airlines and U.S.-allied government customers in 150 countries and employs approximately 145,000 employees across the United States and in more than 65 countries. Boeing is the United States’ largest exporter and works closely with its many manufacturing, service and technology partners around the world to create the greatest aerospace products. In fact, more than 70% of its total backlog is represented by customers outside the U.S. 

Boeing has significant operations and key markets in Asia and Europe, focusing on commercial aircraft sales to growing Asian economies (China, Southeast Asia) and established European carriers, alongside defense partnerships, supply chain development, and local technical support, driving demand for new planes like the 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner to meet expanding air travel needs, even while navigating production challenges and supply chain issues. Both regions face significant fleet replacement needs, with high demand for new aircraft as older planes are retired.  Boeing faces challenges meeting demand due to ongoing supply chain issues, impacting delivery rates. The 787 Dreamliner plays a key role in connecting Asia and Europe with long-haul flights. 

A 40-year Caterpillar Veteran and President Emeritus of the US Global Leadership Coalition, Bill Lane is one of the business community's leading advocates for free trade and global engagement. As the leader of a global team of government affairs professionals, Bill has been responsible for Caterpillar's advocacy in support of competitiveness, trade liberalization and economic growth. An alumni of Penn State, Bill has given back to the University by supporting scholarships in international business.

Bill Lane is Board Member of the Washington International Trade Association. President Emeritus of the US Global Leadership Coalition. From supporting free trade agreements to opposing unilateral sanctions and protectionist schemes, Bill has been center stage during many of the most contentious trade debates of the past three decades. He was a leader of the Cuba normalization effort while continuing to play a leadership role in support of America's diplomacy and development efforts. Mr. Lane was chairman of the U.S. Latin America Trade Coalition, a group that led the advocacy effort in support of the Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with Colombia and Panama. 

Dechert lawyers have been actively advising clients on a wide range of transactions and disputes throughout Eastern Europe and Central Asia (“EECA”) for over 30 years. It has a  dedicated regional team of multi-lingual lawyers who are qualified in various EECA jurisdictions including recognized authorities on doing business in this region. Where needed, Dechert partner with select local counsel to ensure the highest quality service on all matters and focuses on delivering results-oriented solutions that bridge business cultures to achieve its clients’ goals.

The team has advised on matters in nearly every country of the former Soviet Union, as well as in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Mongolia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and Turkey. Its sectoral expertise includes agribusiness, automotive, energy, hospitality, life sciences, manufacturing, mining, retail and TMT (telecommunications, media and technology).

Laura Brank has been a corporate and finance lawyer focused on cross-border transactions. For more than 30 years, she has advised multinational corporations, investment funds, banks, multilateral institutions and high-net-worth individuals on complex cross-border corporate and finance matters, as well as on corporate governance and compliance issues, with a focus on economic sanctions and export controls. Her work spans emerging markets, particularly Eastern Europe and Central Asia. She has extensive experience in the mining, energy, technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, agribusiness, hospitality and manufacturing sectors. 

United Technologies (UTC) had significant operations in Europe and Asia, focusing on aerospace (Pratt & Whitney, UTC Aerospace Systems) and building technologies (Carrier, Otis, UTC Climate, Controls & Security), with major R&D hubs like the UTC Research Centre in Ireland and extensive engineering/manufacturing for local markets, though the corporate structure evolved with its merger into Raytheon Technologies in 2020, integrating its aerospace side. 

RTX Corporation (formerly Raytheon Technologies) now focuses on: Aerospace and defense units which includes Pratt & Whitney and Collins Aerospace, both of which maintain extensive service centers and supply chains across Europe and Asia to support commercial and military aviation. 

RTX has a significant presence in Europe, with over 65 sites and 21,000 employees across the continent. Pratt & Whitney opened a new European Technology and Innovation Center in the Netherlands. Manufacturing Expansion: Collins Aerospace has expanded its major facility in Tajęcina, Poland, and operates numerous other engineering and manufacturing sites in countries including France, Germany, and the UK. RTX has many facilities across the U.S., involved in design, engineering, and production for both commercial and defense sectors, from advanced radars in Andover, MA, to missile production in Arkansas. RTX continuously invests in expanding its domestic manufacturing, creating American jobs and bolstering domestic supply chains for critical defense technologies.

The EBRD was originally established in 1991 to help post-Communist countries in Central and Eastern Europe transition to market economies and democracy. The bank is a major investor in the region, focusing on developing the private sector, infrastructure, and green economy projects. Central Europe and the Baltic states (e.g., Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia, where projects often benefit from EU funding). Eastern Europe and the Caucasus (e.g., Ukraine, where the EBRD has a significant resilience package following the invasion; Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova). Southeastern Europe and the Western Balkans; and Türkiye. 

The EBRD has expanded its reach into Asia, primarily focusing on the Central Asian region to foster market-oriented economies and support sustainable development. The bank is a leading institutional investor in Central Asia, providing financing for vital infrastructure, energy projects, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Central Asia (e.g., Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan). The bank has invested over €10 billion in Kazakhstan and surpassed €5 billion in Uzbekistan, supporting projects such as renewable energy, transport infrastructure (like the Transcaspian Corridor), and water management. 

The America-Eurasia Business Coalition awarded Pfizer the Star of Excellence Award for its tremendous trade with the US, Europe and Asia (Eurasia). Pfizer's trade with Europe and Asia involves significant collaboration, particularly in accessing innovation from Asian biotechs (like China) for U.S. pipelines and managing global drug pricing, with recent agreements like a major 2025 deal with the U.S. government linking tariffs to domestic manufacturing and aligning U.S. prices with developed nations, impacting global strategies and boosting European pharma stocks. The U.S. remains Pfizer's largest market, but international alliances in Europe, China, and elsewhere drive substantial non-U.S. revenue, with efforts focused on scaling production and streamlining supply chains across continents. 

In 2025, Pfizer's trade in Europe and Asia was shaped by U.S. trade policy, including new tariffs on pharmaceuticals, leading Pfizer to agree to lower U.S. drug prices and increase U.S. manufacturing to get tariff relief, potentially impacting global pricing strategies. While facing revenue normalization post-COVID, strong R&D and cost management helped stabilize performance, with licensing deals (like with China's 3SBio) contributing to Asian trade, despite overall market uncertainty from tariffs. Pfizer leverages innovation from Asia (e.g., licensing cancer treatments from Chinese firms) while navigating U.S. trade policies, aiming to balance global pricing and manufacturing. A landmark deal with the Trump administration offered Pfizer a grace period from tariffs in exchange for investing in U.S. manufacturing and aligning U.S. drug prices with those in other developed markets.

The company focuses on diversifying and scaling up production across the U.S., Europe, and other regions, reducing reliance on single-source locations. While the U.S. generates the majority of Pfizer's revenue, Europe, China, Latin America, and Africa are crucial markets, driving significant international sales.

Ernst & Young (EY) provides extensive global trade advisory services, focusing on navigating complex regulations, geopolitical shifts, and supply chain challenges across Europe and Asia, with key insights on EU/UK trade deals (like potential UK-India FTA), EUDR, CPTPP/ASEAN dialogues, and Asian customs updates, helping businesses adapt to new tariffs, sustainability rules, and tech-driven trade models via platforms like EY Trade Connect. They offer specialized support for both European and Asia-Pacific markets, helping companies manage risks and build resilient trade strategies in a volatile environment, as shown in their regular trade update publications. 

EY helps businesses understand and comply with evolving trade policies, tariffs, and regulations in both European (EU/UK) and Asian markets. Sustainability Focus: They provide guidance on sustainability-driven trade rules, such as the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and deforestation regulations (EUDR). EY helps companies translate geopolitical insights into business strategies to manage political risks affecting trade. EY (Ernst & Young) organizes its global operations into three main geographic Areas: the Americas, EMEIA (Europe, Middle East, India, and Africa), and Asia-Pacific, with member firms operating independently but coordinated within these structures to deliver services across assurance, consulting, tax, and strategy. The "Europe and Asia America" query points to these major regional divisions that cover vast territories, emphasizing EY's global reach through local expertise in different continents, from North and South America to the broader European, Middle Eastern, Indian, African, and Asian-Pacific regions. 

Centrus Energy Corp. is a diversified global supplier of nuclear fuel and services, with an extensive trade presence and customer base in both Europe and Asia. The company operates a flexible, multi-source supply strategy to serve utilities internationally. Centrus serves European utilities by drawing upon its diverse supply sources to provide low-enriched uranium (LEU) and related components. Centrus has customers in the Netherlands, Belgium, and other parts of Europe.

The company maintains long-term supply agreements with key European enrichment companies, such as the French firm Orano. It is positioned as a key diversified supplier to help European utilities meet their growing demand for carbon-free nuclear energy, especially as the world seeks to move away from Russian-dominated supply chains. Centrus is actively engaged in the Asian market, leveraging partnerships and agreements to expand its reach and support nuclear energy development in the region. 

Centrus has signed significant agreements with major South Korean companies: Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP): A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was finalized with KHNP and POSCO International to explore potential investment in expanding Centrus' American uranium enrichment plant in Ohio. This collaboration also includes an existing long-term supply commitment. Centrus supplies nuclear fuel components to customers in Asia, including Japan.

Peter Loukianoff has been part of founding four successful venture capital firms, and raised funds for Alumni Ventures Group (AVG) – ranked by Pitchbook as the #3 most active VC firm in the US deploying over $250M per year in capital and managing a global portfolio of over 400 start-up companies (where he founded the UC Berkeley franchise Strawberry Creek Ventures); Black River Ventures, a US/European cross-border investment fund; Almaz Capital, one of the first technology funds focused on the Russian/CIS market; and Modern Venture Partners, a spin-off from AVG.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Loukianoff was a partner at Alloy Ventures and Senior Advisor to McKinsey & Co., where he worked on innovation strategies for multinational corporations. He has negotiated dozens of investment deals, served on numerous boards, and done business in 40+ countries around the world. He got his start in venture capital as an intern at Kleiner Perkins during business school. Notable start-ups that he and his funds have backed, include Qik (acq. by Skype), Yandex (Nasdaq: YNDX), Relayr (acq. by MunichRe), Marqeta (Nasdaq: MQ), Coursera (Nyse: COUR), LitRes (acq. by Ozon.ru), nScaled (acq. by Acronis), and Xactly (Nasdaq: XTLY). Formerly, Peter was a founding team member and senior operating executive with several start-ups, including Autonomy, a pioneer in unstructured data applications, and Silicon Valley Data Science (acq. by Apple).

As an internationally recognized expert in cross-border innovation, venture capital, and entrepreneurship, Mr. Loukianoff has advised several heads-of-state and world leaders on these subjects. Peter has also been a contributor to Forbes and the EastWest Institute, a guest commentator on television shows such as CNBC’s Street Signs, and has been covered by The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Bloomberg, et al. Mr. Loukianoff is a member of the Forbes Global CEO network and frequent speaker at industry conferences. He earned an MBA and BS in Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, and is co-inventor on four mobile messaging patents.

Maria Grechishkina accepted the Star of Excellence Award for Marks & Sokolov LLC. It is an international law firm with deep expertise in U.S., Russian, and Ukrainian law, focusing on complex international litigation, arbitration, and business transactions, particularly involving the former Soviet Union (CIS) and Eastern Europe, assisting clients with cross-border deals, sanctions, corporate matters, and real estate investments across these regions. They offer services in business structuring, international contracting, dispute resolution, and expert legal opinions, bridging legal systems for clients engaged in trade and investment between the U.S., Europe, and Asia. 

Marks & Sokolov LLC focuses on: International Litigation & Arbitration: Handling high-value disputes, cross-border fraud, and complex commercial cases, often involving Russia and CIS countries. Corporate & Transactional Law: Advising on business structuring, international contracts, M&A, and compliance in the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine. Cross-Border Expertise: Specializing in U.S.-Russia/CIS legal matters, including discovery (Section 1782), bankruptcy recognition (Chapter 15), and foreign judgment enforcement.

Sanctions & Compliance: Assisting with U.S. sanctions issues, including obtaining licenses for enforcement of foreign judgments. Experience in sectors like oil & gas, diamonds, banking, manufacturing, and technology. 

Maria represented foreign investor with clams in excess of $3.6 billion against Russia’s largest oil company for wrongdoing related to the denial of rights to develop one of the world’s richest diamond fields.  She represented a Canadian company in a dispute over Russian oil assets. The appellate court granted client’s appeal of the dismissal of the case on the grounds of forum non conveniens.

Marks & Sokolov, LLC represented shareholders plaintiffs in a suit filed in Delaware in excess of $1 billion related to the illegal seizure of a Russian vanadium plant and a plaintiffs in $2.7 billion suit in New York on behalf of the foreign trading partners of a Russian aluminum factory whose contracts were abrogated in sham bankruptcy proceedings

David Baron has more than 20 years of experience handling international dispute resolution and public international law issues. He will advise foreign sovereigns and state-owned entities in international litigation and arbitration proceedings, as well as provide trade policy, transaction, and regulatory counsel to clients on all aspects of U.S. multilateral trade policies and developments.

Baron's international dispute resolution experience includes involvement in multiple cases before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), international arbitral tribunals, as well as international issues before U.S. federal district and appellate courts. He has been involved in a number of international maritime boundary disputes and law of the sea issues, including work toward the delimitation of the Caspian Sea.

Baron counsels foreign and U.S. business clients regarding all aspects of international trade regulations, including economic sanctions policies and the Patriot Act, trade policy matters, customs, foreign corrupt practices and antidumping, as well as other U.S. investigations such as 301 proceedings. He has represented clients and client concerns before the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), International Trade Commission (ITC), International Trade Administration (ITA), U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).