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A New Bridge Across the Atlantic: Welcoming British Airways’ Direct Flight from London to St. Louis
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A new bridge across the Atlantic has just been built—not with steel, but with wings. British Airways has announced a new seasonal direct flight between London Heathrow and St. Louis, launching in April 2026. As the British Honorary Consul to Missouri, I could not be more delighted. For years I’ve spoken about the need…
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Britain and America in the Age of Trump – What is Next?
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This past Saturday, Lord Mandelson delivered the 61st Ditchley Annual Lecture, setting out a vision for the UK-US relationship in what he called “the Age of Trump – and Beyond.” As someone who has spent years working at the intersection of diplomacy, economic development, and business innovation between Britain and America, I found this…
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A Transatlantic Industrial Renaissance
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Britain’s new industrial strategy creates fertile ground for deeper ties with America’s heartland The UK’s updated strategy dovetails neatly with the ambitions of Missouri—and reveals how a “special relationship” can be built on advanced manufacturing, agri-tech, and shared resilience. This month, the British government published its Modern Industrial Strategy—a quietly ambitious document that marks…
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Growing the Ozark Highlands: Distilling a Legacy, Marking the Way
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Missouri Approves Highway Signs Across the State The Ozark Highlands—a sweeping limestone plateau spanning southern Missouri and into parts of Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas—offers more than just rugged scenery. Hidden in its hollows, forests, and valleys is a deep distilling tradition, brought to life by Irish and Scottish settlers as far back as the…
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Giving Tariffs a New Purpose — A Vision for Tariff Credits and American Export Growth
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At Stone Ledge Distillery, we take pride in crafting spirits that reflect the character of Missouri’s Ozark Highlands — bold, refined, and uniquely American. From our signature Stowloch® Whiskey to our crisp InverXion® Vodka, we’ve built something special here in Defiance. As we grow, we’re not only selling in Missouri and across the U.S.,…
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The U.S. and U.K. Launch Groundbreaking Economic Deal: A New Chapter in the Special Relationship
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On May 8, 2025, the United States and the United Kingdom made history by launching the Economic Prosperity Deal (EPD)—the first such agreement of its kind under the Biden administration’s new economic framework. This isn’t just another trade update—it’s a powerful reaffirmation of the long-standing “Special Relationship” between the two nations. Why This Matters…
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Crossing the Pond: A Strategic Guide for UK Companies Expanding into the US
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As global trade barriers rise and market access becomes more complex, UK companies are increasingly turning to the United States—not just to export, but to establish operations. Setting up shop in America is more than a tariff-avoidance strategy; it’s a chance to build a long-term, growth-oriented presence in the world’s largest and most dynamic…
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Raising a Glass to Resilience: Tariffs, Vision, and the Spirit of Community
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At Stone Ledge Distillery, we’ve always believed a glass of whiskey can tell a story—of place, of people, and of perseverance. As someone who’s poured heart, soul, and no shortage of sweat into building this brand from the ground up, I’ve learned that the road to craft excellence is rarely smooth. Lately, that road’s…
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TTB Confirms Legitimacy of “Ozark Highlands” on American Spirits
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Federal Agency Clarifies that Truthful Use of the Term is Permissible and Protected The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) has formally acknowledged that the term Ozark Highlands may be lawfully and accurately used on spirits labels for products distilled in the Ozark Highlands region of the United States. This clarification provides welcome validation…
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Promoting Missouri to a Global Business Audience
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Recently, I had the privilege to sit down with NPR’s Tom Wilmer to discuss Missouri, and one of my favorite places – Missouri wine country in the heart of the Ozark Highlands. https://www.kcbx.org/podcast/journeys-of-discovery-with-tom-wilmer/2022-09-22/missouri-partnership-propels-statewide-economic-development