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Engaging with the Japanese Ambassador to the EU

31 Jan 2025
All Committees

On Friday, 31 January, AmCham EU’s Board of Directors welcomed Kazutoshi Aikawa, Japanese Ambassador to the EU. He was joined by Akie Hoshikawa, First Secretary and Tetsuya Uetake, Counsellor, Economic Section, Mission of Japan to the EU. The discussions covered a range of issues, particularly around the current geopolitical conditions and how our members can work with counterparts in Japan. The discussion also highlighted areas for continued collaboration on shared priorities between American business in Europe and Japan.

Turning today’s students into tomorrow’s engineers

29 Jan 2025
All Committees

GE Aerospace is stepping in to make sure Europe has the workforce it needs for the years ahead. In partnership with the Perspektywy Education Foundation, it expanded its Next Engineers programme to Warsaw, Poland in January 2025 to increase the diversity of young people  pursuing careers in engineering. It aims to enrol 4,000 students over four years between the ages of 13 and 18. With hands-on activities, immersive camps and a three-year academy, the programme fosters engineering skills while promoting diversity in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. Learn more on Invested in Europe. 

Industry calls for the withdrawal of the AI Liability Directive

29 Jan 2025
All Committees
Digital Economy

EU policymakers must withdraw the AI Liability Directive in order to avoid adding unnecessary complexity and uncertainty to Europe’s artificial intelligence (AI) regulatory landscape. With the recently passed Product Liability Directive already expanding liability rules to AI, AmCham EU is joining the call with other industry associations in warning that additional, overlapping measures on AI would hinder innovation and disrupt established business practices. Policymakers should instead focus on regulatory simplification, in line with the Draghi Report on Competitiveness. Learn how a clear framework for AI can support innovation and Europe’s competitiveness in the joint statement.

Connecting with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

29 Jan 2025
All Committees

On the evening of Tuesday, 28 January, we had the pleasure of co-hosting a reception with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as part of their delegation to Brussels. The event brought together business representatives, policymakers and key stakeholders for an engaging and insightful evening. Marjorie Chorlins, Senior Vice-President, European Affairs, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Malte Lohan, CEO, AmCham EU opened the event with brief remarks, setting the tone for a fruitful exchange of ideas. 

What will make the headlines in 2025?

29 Jan 2025
All Committees

On Tuesday, 28 January, AmCham EU held its first plenary meeting of the year discussing the stories that will make the headlines in 2025.  Our panel of journalists covered a range of issues, including the new US administration, climate policies and the evolving transatlantic relationship. Afterwards Fabian Zuleeg, Chief Executive and Chief Economist, European Policy Centre, joined us and spoke about the geopolitical pressures impacting Europe. 

Moving the needle on competitiveness

29 Jan 2025
All Committees

Commenting on the Competitiveness Compass presented, Malte Lohan, CEO, AmCham EU, said: 'The Compass confirms the Commission’s intent to tackle the EU’s competitiveness gap, in particular the regulatory burden. Whether or not this moves the needle will only become clear once the roadmap is translated into concrete action. There is no time to waste.

Advocating for transatlantic investment in Strasbourg

27 Jan 2025
All Committees

From Tuesday, 21 to Thursday, 23 January, AmCham EU visited the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France to speak with key MEPs working on investment in the EU. With nine in ten American companies in Europe anticipating a worsening EU-US trade and investment relationship, it is critical that we remove barriers to doing business in the region. While regulation can encourage fairness and innovation in Europe, in excess, it can create unnecessary administrative burdens and hinder the private sector’s capacity to grow. To find out more about where our members see the EU-US relationship going, take a look at our recent survey.  

Joint statement on modernising customs to enhance global trade

24 Jan 2025
All Committees
Customs & Trade Facilitation

For International Customs Day 2025, AmCham EU is reaffirming our commitment to advancing customs efficiency. In alignment with this year’s theme, we are emphasising the critical need for efficient IT systems, digital solutions and public-private partnerships to streamline global trade processes. These advancements, coupled with investments in workforce training and cutting-edge technologies like AI, will empower customs authorities to facilitate legitimate trade while securing borders. Learn why balanced regulatory frameworks, partnerships and technological advancements are needed to tackle future challenges and make the global trade ecosystem smoother in the joint statement. 

Businesses’ role in keeping transatlantic dialogue open

24 Jan 2025
All Committees

The transatlantic relationship is the most integrated in the world, accounting for 16 million jobs on both sides of the Atlantic and one third of global GDP. To stress the importance of this partnership, Malte Lohan, CEO, AmCham EU joined a panel at Boeing’s New Year Reception on Thursday, 23 January. While there may be uncertainty about the future, Mr Lohan underlined there are plenty of areas for cooperation to advance the relationship going forward. From his view, business has an integral role to play to make sure dialogue between Europe and the US remains open so that both regions continue to reap the immense benefits of the transatlantic economy. 

Highlighting the importance of close EU-US trade relations

21 Jan 2025
All Committees
Customs & Trade Facilitation
Trade & External Affairs

On Thursday, 16 January, Micol Bertolini, Associate Policy Manager represented AmCham EU at a panel organised by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Europe and the Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie (BDI). The topic of discussion? EU-US trade relations. Ms Bertolini spoke about why now, with a new administration in the White House, close transatlantic ties are crucial to overcoming shared challenges. With 16 million jobs on both sides of the Atlantic, a strong transatlantic partnership, based on shared values and interests is needed for growth and security for both regions. With EU-US relations entering a new phase, find out how our members see the relationship evolving.

Overcoming the fragmentation of the NIS2 transposition

20 Jan 2025
All Committees
Digital Economy

The NIS2 Directive has the potential to be a cornerstone of the EU’s cybersecurity strategy, driving improved security and resilience across Member States. However, fragmentation in national approaches risks undermining the Directive’s objectives and creating unnecessary burdens for businesses, particularly those operating across borders. For the Directive to succeed, consistency in transposition and alignment on shared standards must be prioritised. By addressing the implementation challenges, the EU can not only strengthen its cybersecurity posture but also create an environment conducive to innovation, investment and growth in the digital age. 

American companies in Europe brace for tougher transatlantic business climate, survey finds

20 Jan 2025
All Committees
Transatlantic

As President Donald Trump takes office, a new survey of American companies in Europe finds that nine in ten anticipate a worsened EU-US trade and investment relationship. Respondents also have a pessimistic outlook on anticipated policy changes, with two-thirds expecting US policies to have a negative impact on their operations in Europe in the coming years. This concern applies to policies on both sides of the Atlantic. When asked the same question about announced EU policies, a majority (52%) also predicted a negative impact. However, 28% expected EU policies to have a ‘somewhat’ or ‘very’ positive influence on their European operations.

AmCham EU x Brussels Binder: partnering in advancing diversity and inclusion across Europe

15 Jan 2025
All Committees
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

A stronger, more resilient Europe is built by empowering diverse perspectives and ensuring different voices shape its future together. At a time of growing polarisation in public discourse, we believe that broadening the spectrum of views shaping EU policies is more important than ever. That’s why AmCham EU is joining forces with the Brussels Binder. Through the partnership, we will continue to promote representation in policymaking, including by working with the Brussels Binder on key areas of focus around featuring diverse voices during panels and events, sharing best practices, engaging across socio-economic backgrounds and empowering our own experts. Together, we can help advance a more inclusive and equitable Europe that delivers for its citizens and businesses.

Welcome to our new members

15 Jan 2025
All Committees

We are delighted to announce our membership has grown in the last quarter of 2024 and at the beginning of 2025. AbbVie, AP Wireless, GE Vernova, Kraft Heinz, PepsiCo and Wabtec have been approved as new members. We wish a warm welcome to our new members and look forward to working closely on our advocacy efforts in the future.  

Leadership update

15 Jan 2025
All Committees

AmCham EU is pleased to announce recent election results from the end of 2024 and beginning of the year and welcome these new and re-elected leaders. We wish successful terms to Katharina Bryan (Amazon), Sophie Claessens (Amazon), Bernd Ewers (RTX) and Claudia Selli (AT&T INC.). The Secretariat would also like to thank the member who is stepping down for the extraordinary work she completed during her term: Sabine Van Depoele (Fedex). More details about the leadership changes mentioned above can be found here.  

Planting the seeds of net zero

15 Jan 2025
All Committees
Environment

The European Commission’s proposal for a 2040 greenhouse gas emissions target underscores the EU’s commitment to climate neutrality. Now just months after COP29 and with 2024 being the hottest year in recorded history, urgent action is required. With a proposed 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, this vision depends on strategic investments in low-carbon technologies and regulatory simplification. But the first step on this journey is achieving the 2030 targets, which require deeper collaboration between policymakers and industry. Only by fostering innovation and creating an attractive investment environment will the EU lead the global transition to a sustainable and resilient economy. Learn why industry involvement is essential to maintaining EU competitiveness during this transition.

Recommendations to the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union

9 Jan 2025
All Committees

Poland assumes the Presidency of the Council of the European Union at a time when the EU must course correct. It is time to move away from a heavy regulatory agenda and protectionist trends and towards an environment conducive to investment and innovation. American companies are committed to working with the Polish Presidency to support this mission. In this context, AmCham EU’s Recommendations to the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union outlines a wide range of proposals to boost the region’s competitiveness, resilience and global standing. 

Mark Gitenstein and Björn Seibert receive AmCham EU Transatlantic Business Award

9 Jan 2025
All Committees

AmCham EU is delighted to announce that The Honorable Mark Gitenstein, US Ambassador to the EU, and Björn Seibert, Head of Cabinet of the President, European Commission, were jointly presented with the AmCham EU Transatlantic Business Award 2024. The award formally recognises their exceptional efforts to enhance transatlantic cooperation. They worked very closely over the last three years to ensure strong alignment on both sides of the Atlantic. As individuals, they built an important culture of dialogue and trust that was critical to advancing common priorities in the EU and the US. Together, they played an instrumental role in the united transatlantic response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the development of the EU-US Data Privacy Framework. 

Simplifying the EU’s chemical regulation framework

6 Jan 2025
All Committees

The expected revision of the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals Regulation (REACH) this year has the potential to increase consistency and predictability for both the public and private sectors. But for the Commission to achieve this, it must strike the right balance between ensuring a high degree of safety while decreasing the regulatory burden on companies. By prioritising science-based risk assessments, avoiding broad grouping of substances without clear data and enhancing regulatory predictability, REACH can foster competitiveness while supporting the EU’s Green Deal objectives.  

Giving back this holiday season: AmCham EU donates to those in need

16 Dec 2024
All Committees

On Friday, 13 December, AmCham EU continued its tradition of hosting members, staff, family and friends for an afternoon of giving back to the community. During the event, we packed boxes with nonperishable items for The Samaritans’ Shoe-Box project, which have been delivered to Eglise du Finistere in Brussels. They will now be distributed to those in need around the city. Thanks to everyone who joined! 

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