Is Your Supply Chain Exposing You to Fraud Charges?Tips from Rachel Winkler, a Former DHS Official

Navigating the complex world of trade compliance just got easier. In this eye-opening episode, we sit down with Rachel Winkler, a former DHS official and trade compliance expert, to uncover the latest government crackdowns, potential pitfalls, and proven strategies for keeping your international trade business on the right side of the law.

As global supply chains become increasingly interconnected, the stakes for trade compliance have never been higher. From forced labor regulations to economic espionage, companies of all sizes face mounting pressure to ensure their operations are above board.

Main Points/Takeaways:

1. Increased Government Scrutiny on Chinese-Affiliated Companies
- Rachel shares insights on the U.S. government's heightened focus on investigating trade fraud allegations, particularly among Chinese-owned subsidiaries operating in the U.S.
- She discusses the potential for criminal charges against company leadership who turn a blind eye to red flags in their supply chain.

2. Proactive Compliance Measures for Small Businesses
- Even small importers and exporters are not immune to trade compliance risks. Rachel emphasizes the importance of thorough vetting and due diligence, no matter the size of your operation.
- "Just because you're a small shop doesn't mean you know these, these issues don't apply to you. If you are looking you know if some if a price seems too good to be true, there's probably a reason for it."

3. Collaborative, Whole-Company Approach to Trade Compliance
- Effective trade compliance requires buy-in and participation from across an organization - from purchasing and legal to IT and the C-suite.
- As Rachel notes, "the importance of collaboration between compliance, purchasing, legal, and IT groups for effective compliance."

Key Insights:
- The government is actively pursuing criminal charges against companies and leaders who knowingly turn a blind eye to trade compliance issues.
- Proactive measures like thorough supplier vetting and comprehensive employee training are critical, even for small businesses.
- A siloed approach to trade compliance is a recipe for disaster - fostering a collaborative, "whole-company" mindset is key to mitigating risks.

Don't let your international trade business become the next target of government enforcement. Tune in to hear Rachel Winkler's expert insights on navigating the ever-evolving compliance landscape and protecting your operations from costly violations. This episode is a must-listen for any importer, exporter, or trade professional looking to stay ahead of the curve.

Enjoy the show!

Sign up for the upcoming Forced Labor training (Supply Chain Tracing) here:
https://globaltrainingcenter.com/forced-labor-supply-chain-tracing/ 

Host: Andy Shiles: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyshiles/ 
Host/Producer: Lalo Solorzano: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lalosolorzano/ 
Co-Producer: Mara Marquez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mara-marquez-a00a111a8/

Show references:

• Global Training Center - www.GlobalTrainingCenter.com

• Simply Trade Podcast - twitter.com/SimplyTradePod 

• Rachel Winkler - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-winkler-34282735/ 

• Nixon Peabody LLP - https://www.nixonpeabody.com/ 

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