News

American Hour: A Business view on COVID-19

On Thursday, 23 April, during our American Hour online series for members, we discussed the business view on COVID-19 and welcomed a panel of distinguished US business leaders: Myron Brilliant, Executive Vice President and Head of International Affairs, US Chamber of Commerce, Nancy McLernon, President and CEO, Global Business Alliance and Peter Robinson, President and CEO, US Council for International Business.

During the chat moderated by Susan Danger, CEO, AmCham EU, she noted that: 'As like-minded powers, the business community counts on the EU and the US to work together, with the international community, in the fight against COVID-19. Now is the time to demonstrate the values we share in Europe, across the Atlantic and with the rest of the global community.'

Solidarity, Single Market, and international cooperation key to overcome COVID-19

The global COVID-19 pandemic is shaping up to be the societal challenge of our times. It has already claimed the lives of more than 175,000 people, with over 2.5 million confirmed cases. This severe health threat is further compounded by the economic and societal fallout of the emergency. The efforts of the EU and its Member States were critical for the European response to the COVID-19 crisis. An unprecedented challenge calls for an unprecedented response, and with the health, social and economic measures taken, the EU rose to the occasion. AmCham EU calls on the EU to continue its efforts to mitigate the economic impact of the emergency. 

Senior business leaders: We need a strong Europe

This week, 23 CEOs and Presidents of major companies and industry associations in Europe have published a common statement ahead of this week’s EU Heads of State and Government videoconference. Among the signatories are several members of AmCham EU’s Executive Council. The senior business executives call on political leaders to support common European solutions to overcome the COVID-19 crisis. They stress how a stronger Europe, with the Single Market as a central instrument, is needed more than ever. The statement notes that: ‘In our daily business operations, we see that the response to the current crisis is not less Europe, but more Europe, and it starts with our common European market.’ Read it in full here.

Defining critical infrastructure and maintaining global supply chains

On 17 April, AmCham EU sent a letter addressed to Commissioner Thierry Breton calling for a coordinated response to the COVID-19 crisis with regard to defining critical sites and infrastructure and maintaining global supply chains.

Our companies operate in a large variety of sectors, many of which are affected by the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 crisis. Our member companies are facing new challenges as they adapt to the current circumstances. Maintaining a reliable supply of products and services is necessary for European citizens and the economy. Our members believe that clarity is essential to minimise any disruptions in the production and delivery of critical products and services.

International trade: What is the way forward?

In an MEPcast panel entitled 'International Trade: What is the way forward?', Susan Danger, CEO, AmCham EU stressed that what Europe needs most right now is bold leadership, trust, solidarity and cooperation over competition between Member States and across the globe.

The online event took place on Wednesday, 15 April 2020, and was hosted by Anna-Michelle Asimakopoulou, Member of the European Parliament. Other panellists included Sabine Weyand, Director General, DG Trade and Victor do Prado, Director of the Council and Trade Negotiations Committee Division, WTO. You can watch the panel here. 

American Hour with Dan Mullaney, Assistant USTR for Europe

As a committed bridge-builder and trusted partner, AmCham EU is bringing the EU and US even closer in our online fireside chat series called American Hour. On Thursday, 9 April, we welcomed Dan Mullaney, Assistant USTR for Europe and the Middle East, Office of the US Trade Representative. During the chat, Susan Danger, CEO, AmCham EU provided opening remarks and noted that: 'We are all in this together and we call on both governments to focus on solidarity. Now is the time to demonstrate the values we share in Europe, across the Atlantic and with the rest of the global community.'

Thank you Carsten Dannöhl (Caterpillar), Chair of the Trade and External Affairs Committee for moderating the discussion.

AmCham EU Town Hall with Eva Maydell, MEP

On Wednesday, 8 April, AmCham EU held its second Town Hall meeting for members. The meeting featured a discussion with Eva Maydell, Member of European Parliament, who provided her insights into the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak – more specifically, into the EU’s response to the pandemic and the extreme need for cooperation, exchange of best practices and expertise between policy-makers and stakeholders in this current context.

These new online members-only sessions aiming to share priorities and concerns as well as to update members on AmCham EU's activities will happen on a weekly basis and will analyse the impact of COVID-19 with experts. For more information, please contact Roberta Brumana (RBR@amchameu.eu).  

AmChams in Europe: Solidarity, coordination and action

Solidarity, coordination and action: what we need to fight COVID-19 and protect the economy

The world is facing an extraordinary challenge from the outbreak of COVID-19. The pandemic poses a severe threat to the health and wellbeing of citizens and the global economy with harmful consequences for all parts of society. AmChams in Europe, the umbrella organization for 45 AmChams from 43 countries across Europe and Eurasia, fully support governments’ efforts to tackle the pandemic and mitigate its effects. The mobilization of resources has been unprecedented, and we need continued leadership to address the impact of the crisis on society.

AmCham Turkey Webinar

On Friday, 3 April, Susan Danger, CEO, AmCham EU and Joris Pollet, Chair of Operations Group AmCham EU and Managing Director Government Relations Europe, Procter & Gamble joined a webinar organised by AmCham Turkey/American Business Forum in Turkey (ABFT) on Europe's Approach to COVID-19: Business Continuity & Social Impacts. In a discussion moderated by Tankut Turnaoğlu, AmCham Turkey/ABFT Chair (Procter & Gamble), Susan highlighted the EU-wide response to fight against the outbreak and the steps taken by the AmChams in Europe network and AmCham EU in supporting their members. Joris Pollet focused on the actions taken by the private sector as well as best practices from the governments in Member States.