Europe is often described as a single market of 450 million consumers.
In reality, it is one of the most complex, politically dynamic, and highly regulated regions in the world.
In this episode of Business Beyond Borders, Cynthia Dearin speaks with D&A Senior Advisor, Kathryn Read about what has fundamentally changed in Europe and what global executives are still getting wrong.
From Brexit and the war in Ukraine to tightening regulatory regimes and shifting geopolitical alliances, Europe is no longer the predictable environment many companies once relied upon. Political risk has moved from the margins to the boardroom.
Kathryn brings deep expertise in European policy, trade dynamics, and regulatory systems, unpacking:
- Why “Europe” is not one market — and never really was
- How Brexit reshaped UK–EU commercial relationships
- The impact of the war in Ukraine on trade, energy, and political stability
- The rise of economic security, sanctions, and strategic autonomy
- What increasing regulation means for non-European companies
- How to think about compliance not as a cost, but as a competitive advantage
- Why geopolitical literacy is now a core executive skill
For companies expanding into Europe — or already operating there — this conversation is a masterclass in understanding the political and regulatory forces shaping commercial success.
Because today, international business strategy can’t sit apart from geopolitics. It has to anticipate it.
Get the Blueprint for International Success in today’s turbulent world.
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