News

Tax: implementing global rules

Last year, over 130 countries reached an agreement to reform the global corporate tax framework. Attention now shifts to implementation as a global level playing field will be critical for the success of the project. On Tuesday, 22 February 2022, AmCham EU hosted Gerassimos Thomas, Director-General, Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union, EU Commission, to discuss the Commission's proposal for implementing the global rules on a minimum tax.

Healthcare roundtable: designing EU's innovation-driven agenda

To provide insights on European health priorities for 2022 and how AmCham EU and others can work together in the future, Andrea Chiarello, Chair, Healthcare Committee, AmCham EU joined AmCham Belgium for a roundtable discussion on Monday, 14 February. The panellists touched on the state of play of key EU developments in pharmaceuticals, medical devices and broader life sciences policy. It was also highlighted that strong collaboration between AmCham EU and AmCham Belgium could strengthen an innovation-driven agenda for life sciences.

Foreign Subsidies Regulation: views from key EU trade and investment partners

Together with organisations representing key EU trade and investment partners, AmCham EU released a joint statement sharing our views on the proposed Regulation on Foreign Subsidies. We support the European Commission’s objective to combat distortions of competition in the EU caused by foreign subsidies. However, our organisations identify risks with the current proposal around legal uncertainty, burdensome compliance due to overbroad definitions and delays. A balanced, proportionate and multilateral approach will be critical. The statement points to six main areas for refinement. Read the full statement here.

New US Ambassador to the EU visits AmCham EU

On Tuesday, 1 February, The Honorable Mark Gitenstein, US Ambassador to the EU, met with Susan Danger, CEO, AmCham EU, to discuss key priorities for the American business community in Europe. AmCham EU looks forward to collaborating closely with Ambassador Gitenstein and his team at the US Mission to the EU as we continue to strengthen the transatlantic partnership.

EU industrial ecosystems on the path to the green and digital transition

Industry is a critical sector in Europe, accounting for more than 32 million jobs. It is also an enabler of the economic recovery, powering the green and digital transitions across the Single Market. To improve the region’s global competitiveness, the EU’s industrial strategy should focus on digitalising European industry, creating the right environment for a clean future, accelerating the EU circular economy and reinforcing the rules-based trading system. Join the conversation this week at the EU Industry Days, which will focus on the role of youth in shaping the future of industry. Read more about our priorities here.

From pandemic to recovery: what does 2022 hold in store for the EU and the world

During the first plenary meeting of the year on Tuesday, 25 January, AmCham EU welcomed Suzanne Lynch, Playbook Brussels co-author, POLITICO Europe and Alex Pigman, Brussels correspondent, Agence France-Presse for an interactive session diving into the news stories that will likely dominate the headlines in 2022 and the overall political trends that will drive the conversation in Brussels and beyond. The panel was moderated by Victoria Main, CEO, SEC Newgate EU and Member of the Board at AmCham EU. During the meeting, the 2022 Strategic Plan was also presented and a new member was voted in: General Motors.

Congratulations to the new European Parliament President, Roberta Metsola

On Tuesday, 18 January Roberta Metsola, MEP (EPP, MT) was elected as President of the European Parliament with 458 votes in the first round of balloting. Together with our member companies operating in Europe, AmCham EU looks forward to working closely with President Metsola and the European Parliament to ensure a prosperous and sustainable EU recovery.

Leadership update

AmCham EU is pleased to announce the results of the elections that took place from December till mid-January and welcome new and re-elected leaders. We wish successful terms to Carsten Dannöhl (Caterpillar); Nicola del Valle de Sousa Gavaia (McDonald’s); Alexander Majer (First Solar); Simona Popa (InterDigital); Sofia Trenor (Amazon); and Felix Uedelhoven (GE). 

The Secretariat would also like to thank those who are stepping down for the extraordinary work they completed during their terms: Kate Ballentyne (former Chevron); Veronika Bendere (MSD), who remains as Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Task Force; Luca Bellomo (MSD); Taggart Davis (JP Morgan Chase Co); Walter Van der Meiren (UPS), who remains as Chair of the Customs and Trade Facilitation Committee; and Benjamin Neyt (LVMH).

More details about the leadership changes mentioned above can be found here.  

Forging Europe’s recovery together: inclusivity

COVID-19 has created a crisis with deep socio-economic consequences and groups like women, youth, immigrants and people with disabilities have been disproportionally affected by the impacts of the pandemic. Inclusion should be at the heart of Europe’s recovery. Aliki Foinikopoulou (Salesforce), Vice-Chair, Diversity and Inclusion Task Force, AmCham EU discusses how closing the skills gap, designing upskilling programs for the workforce and creating more job opportunities will ensure the EU’s just and inclusive recovery.