On May 1 eight former Soviet-bloc countries and two Mediterranean island nations will join the European Union, bringing about new opportunities and challenges for U.S. businesses. Many U.S. businesses will be looking to profit from Eastern Europe?s cheap labor and abundant consumers. The 10 countries preparing to join the EU have went through many changes in order to create standardized rules and regulations.
See "EU expansion brings USA opportunities", Noelle Knox, USA Today, April 26, 2004