Dan Harris is a founding member of Harris Sliwoski, an international law firm where he mostly represents companies doing business in emerging market countries. Most of his time is spent helping American and European companies navigate foreign countries by working with the international lawyers at his firm in setting up companies overseas (WFOEs, Subsidiaries, Rep Offices and Joint Ventures), drafting international contracts, protecting IP, and overseeing M&A transactions.
In addition, Dan writes and speaks extensively on international law, with a focus on protecting foreign businesses in their overseas operations. He is also a prolific and widely-followed blogger, writing as the co-author of the award-winning China Law Blog.
China vs. Vietnam for Manufacturing To say the global manufacturing landscape is in flux would be an understatement. What was once a relatively straightforward comparison of labor costs has evolved into a far more nuanced and strategic decision-making process. Geopolitical tensions, shifting trade and tariff regimes, technological disruption, environmental concerns, and changing consumer expectations have
THE Guide for Legally Avoiding United States Tariffs 1. The Volatile Trade Landscape – A Real-World Challenge Imagine a small U.S. manufacturing company that depends on certain parts or material inputs that can only be sourced from China. Since returning to office, President Trump has announced new tariffs that have added a 25% cost to
Accurate Chinese Company Names on Your Contracts Are Critical A few years ago, a Canadian company came to my law firm seeking to sue their Chinese supplier. When we reviewed their bilingual manufacturing contract, we quickly discovered that the Chinese company name on their contract didn’t make sense. It was not an exact match to
The Essential Answers on Signing Contracts with Chinese Companies Yesterday, in The Essential Checklist for Signing Contracts with Chinese Companies, I wrote about what our China lawyers typically advise our clients regarding the signing of contracts with Chinese companies. Today, a client sent us what they call their Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for signing Chinese
Discover how to safeguard your contracts with Chinese companies using our detailed legal checklist. Ensure enforceability and protect your business interests when you contract with China.
International Trademarks Good. International Patents Bad. The title to this post is a gross oversimplification meant to prove a point or, more accurately, disprove a myth. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve had companies swoon over the idea of spending big money to secure a patent and pooh-pooh my suggestion to spend small
The Legal Survival Guide for Product Sourcing Consultants You have spent months finding the perfect manufacturer for your product buying client. The first shipment arrives, and everything looks great, and your client is thrilled. Then, six months later, your client calls in a panic—their product is being counterfeited and sold worldwide. Who do they blame?
Protecting Your Business From YOUR China Factory Chinese factories are increasingly selling products directly to consumers, especially in industries hit hard by tariffs, tariff threats, and shifting geopolitical tensions. As manufacturers lose foreign buyers due to global supply chain changes, many are seizing the chance to create and market their own products—often in direct competition
Selling Your Products into China I recently spoke with a client, a successful manufacturer of specialized industrial equipment, who was wrestling with a familiar dilemma: how to best engage with the Chinese market. They’d been exploring various options, from joint ventures to wholly foreign-owned entities, but felt increasingly overwhelmed by the complexities and risks involved.
The China Tariffs Are Here to Stay The trade war with China is escalating. Tariffs are rising, impacting hundreds of billions in imports—businesses must act now. This post outlines the reasons behind the enduring tariffs on Chinese goods and provides actionable strategies to safeguard your business. Geopolitical and Economic Drivers of Continued Tariffs For years
