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WTO ministerial: multilateralism remains critical but needs to deliver further results

20 Jun 2022
All Committees
Trade & External Affairs

The Twelfth Ministerial Conference (MC12) of the World Trade Organization (WTO) concluded on Friday, 17 June 2022. The American Chamber of Commerce to the EU (AmCham EU) applauds the WTO and its Member States for reaching outcomes against a challenging geopolitical backdrop. Consensus was found on several issues, including food security, pandemic response, fishing subsidies, the moratorium on import duties for e-commerce and, most importantly, the reform of the WTO.

Swedish start-up Energy Effective Solutions wins AmCham EU Youth Entrepreneurship Award 2022

16 Jun 2022
All Committees
Executive Council

The American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union (AmCham EU) and Junior Achievement Europe (JA Europe) are delighted to announce that Energy Effective Solutions, a Swedish start-up, is the winner of the tenth AmCham EU Youth Entrepreneurship Award. This year’s edition was dedicated to women entrepreneurs, for the third time in a row. Ida Norström, Founder and CEO, won the hearts and minds of the jury with her ambition to grow her business into one of Europe’s largest electricity companies and lead the transition to a modernised electricity industry. An inspiring young business leader, Ida Norström started her career at fourteen years old only and had already completed an apprenticeship before finishing high school.

2022 EU Job Fair: discussing careers in policy

14 Jun 2022
All Committees

On Monday, 13 June, Alex Buyruk, Policy Adviser, AmCham EU spoke on the ‘Careers in Policy’ panel at the 2022 EU Job Fair. The discussion focussed on the importance of variety in building a professional profile as well as the differences in working in the private and public sectors. The panel was joined by Dimitar Lilkov, Senior Research Officer, Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies; David Osimo, Director of Research, Lisbon Council; Ionela Maria Ciolan, Policy Analyst, Transatlantic Alumni Network; Laura Kaun, Policy and Campaigns Officer, European Women’s Lobby; and Andrea Carta, Legal Strategist, Greenpeace. 

Key organisations express concerns over the Cybersecurity Certification Scheme for Cloud Services

14 Jun 2022
Digital Economy

AmCham EU issued a joint statement alongside key EU digital business organisations to express concerns over several procedural and substantial elements in the Cybersecurity Certification Scheme for Cloud Services (EUCS) currently undertaken within the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA). While the EU's ambition to tackle global cyber threats and protect citizens, institutions and businesses through cybersecurity certifications is appreciated, the inclusion of 'digital sovereignty' requirements risks negatively impacting international and European providers of cloud computing solutions as well as organisations that use cloud and require high levels of cybersecurity assurances.

MC12: the ingredients to make it a success

13 Jun 2022
All Committees
Trade & External Affairs

After being postponed last December due to rising COVID-19 rates, the twelfth Ministerial Conference of the WTO will take place in Geneva between 12-15 June. The Ministerial will take place under challenging and divisive circumstances, including the remaining effects of the COVID pandemic and the devastation caused by the war in Ukraine. These and other issues will make it difficult for the Ministerial to make progress towards an agreed common statement. Regardless, as US business in Europe, we emphasise the importance of the WTO as a pillar of the rules-based multilateral trading system and a stabiliser and unifier for international trade.

Reporting from Dublin and the #ALDECongress

9 Jun 2022
All Committees
European Parliament Outreach

As part of AmCham EU's European Parliament outreach, a delegation joined the ALDE Party Congress in Dublin, Ireland from Thursday, 2 June to Saturday, 4 June. During the Congress, the delegation engaged with MEPs, Commissioners, Prime Ministers and Member State politicians. AmCham EU representatives also participated in two roundtables on green innovation and the road to the digital transformation in Europe. Alberto Zilio (AT&T), Chair, European Parliament Outreach Task Force, AmCham EU, also participated in a Liberal Espresso on EU Trade relations hosted by Daniel Kaddik, Executive-Director, European Liberal Forum.  

Meet the Youth Entrepreneurship Award finalists

9 Jun 2022
All Committees
Executive Council

As the EU celebrates the European Year of Youth, AmCham EU and JA Europe are pleased to announce the three finalists for the 2022 Youth Entrepreneurship Award. The award, now in its 10th edition, recognises young people’s entrepreneurial spirit and aims to foster innovation in Europe. The finalists were selected from a pool of applicants from all over Europe. Each will receive a monetary prize as well as a contribution for their local JA Europe organisation. In addition to funding, the winning company will receive expert mentorship from AmCham EU’s senior executives. The winner will be selected by a high-level jury and announced on Wednesday, 15 June at AmCham EU’s Gala evening.

Simona Popa sits down with the Martens Centre at #EPPRotterdam

9 Jun 2022
All Committees
European Parliament Outreach

Taking a step away from the action of the EPP Congress in Rotterdam, Simona Popa (InterDigital), Vice-Chair, European Parliament Outreach Task Force, AmCham EU, sat down with Margherita Movarelli, Head of Communications and Marketing, Martens Centre, to discuss the future of the transatlantic relationship. The discussion was part of a series of sideline events hosted by the EPP's political foundation and think tank during the party Congress. Simona Popa explained that while the transatlantic relationship is strong, based on unified values and economic ties, more ambition is needed from leaders on both sides of the Atlantic to solve shared challenges. Watch the full interview for more.

Discussing the upcoming Czech Presidency in Prague

9 Jun 2022
All Committees
Presidency

The AmCham EU Presidency delegation was in Prague from Tuesday, 31 May to Thursday, 2 June 2022 for a series of meetings ahead of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU, commencing on Friday, 1 July 2022. The delegation met with representatives of the Czech government as well as other key stakeholders. AmCham EU would like to thank AmCham Czech Republic for their support prior to and during the Presidency delegation. We would also like to thank the US Embassy to the Czech Republic and specifically Ambassador Michael J. Dodman, Chargé d´affaires for welcoming us in Czech Republic.

Checking in from #EPPRotterdam

9 Jun 2022
All Committees
European Parliament Outreach

Last week a delegation from AmCham EU’s European Parliament Outreach Task Force attended the 27th EPP Party Congress in Rotterdam, Netherlands from Tuesday, 31 May to Wednesday, 1 June. The Congress was highlighted by the election of Manfred Weber as the next EPP President, who takes over the role from Donald Tusk. The delegation had the pleasure of speaking with many party members during the two days including Donald Tusk, former President of the EPP; Roberta Metsola, MEP (EPP, MT) and President of the European Parliament; Simona Busuttil, Secretary General, EPP Group and many more influential guests including other MEPs, Commissioners, Prime Ministers and Member State politicians.

AmCham EU hosts Don Graves, US Deputy Secretary of Commerce

8 Jun 2022
All Committees

On Friday, 3 June, AmCham EU hosted Don Graves, Deputy Secretary of Commerce, US Department of Commerce for an insightful in-person meeting as the last stop on his visit to Europe. The topics discussed included export controls, the war in Ukraine, semiconductors and the EMPOWER HER initiative. The discussion centered around a recognition of the importance of investing in a global multilateral system based on shared norms and values. For example, international bodies dealing with standardisation are an area where there is a need for the EU and US to work together to advance their common positions.

Improving the Chips Act

8 Jun 2022
Digital Economy

With its emphasis on research, development and innovation, the European Commission’s Chips Act proposal could go a long way toward addressing the semiconductor supply chain disruption and preventing future shortages. However, to achieve its objectives, the Commission must provide clearer guidance on a range of issues. As the legislation moves forward, it must consider the needs of businesses in Europe that rely on chips, as well as cooperate and coordinate with the EU’s most important trade partner, the US, as it works toward the same goal. Read AmCham EU’s perspectives on how to improve the Chips Act and learn more about these microchips, the ‘brains’ inside electronics. 

AmCham EU elects new Member-at-Large of the Board

7 Jun 2022
All Committees
Board

AmCham EU would like to congratulate Fiona Taylor (Verizon), who has been elected as the new Member-at-Large (corporate) of the Board of Directors for a two-year term. We welcome Fiona to her new role, and look forward to working with her. The election is following the upcoming end of the term of outgoing Board member Claudia Selli (AT&T). AmCham EU expresses our sincere thanks for her valuable contribution to the Board over the last three years. The official handover will take place at the Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, 28 June.

AmCham EU would also like to thank every candidate for standing and for the thought, energy and effort that went into the campaigns and presentations. We look forward to all candidates continuing to be engaged actively at AmCham EU.

AmCham EU calls for progress on EU trade agreements ahead of Foreign Affairs Council

2 Jun 2022
Trade & External Affairs

Ahead of the Foreign Affairs Council meeting on Trade on Friday, 3 June, the American Chamber of Commerce to the EU urges the EU’s Trade Ministers to reignite efforts to advance the several ongoing negotiations on EU free trade agreements (FTAs) with third countries. Trade Ministers are set to discuss the state of play of the ongoing bilateral trade negotiations. AmCham EU encourages Ministers to recognise the importance of these agreements. They not only open new market opportunities, but they are essential tools to boost global recovery post COVID-19, will enable companies to further diversify their supply chains as well as provide increased consumer benefits through job creation and increased competition.

Foreign subsidies regulation: key EU trade and investment partners raise concerns

1 Jun 2022
Competition policy

AmCham EU, together with business groups representing key EU trade and investment partners, issued a joint statement expressing concern at significant elements of the proposed Regulation on foreign subsides and calling for amendments to the text. While the proposal rightfully seeks to address those non-EU subsidies which risk distorting the EU internal market, it could inadvertently impact international companies whose home jurisdiction shares Europe’s open market principles.

Skopje Economic Finance Forum: Susan Danger as keynote speaker

31 May 2022
All Committees

The Skopje Economic and Finance Forum (SEFF) is an initiative by the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of North Macedonia meant to encourage dialogue, ideas and initiatives by policymakers, civil society, academics, the business sector and other experts. Susan Danger, CEO AmCham EU, was invited as a keynote speaker to this year’s conference, which took place 30 May 2022 and was centred around ‘Sustaining Growth in Times of Uncertainty and Beyond’. In her speech, Ms Danger addressed the importance of cooperation within the European region and across the Atlantic in order to build resilience and foment competitiveness. She also highlighted the role of the business sector as a convener and a key stakeholder to create sustainable and efficient policy-making. Listen to her speech here.

Relay for life: join us and make a donation

24 May 2022
All Committees

We all know someone whose life has been impacted by cancer. Relay for Life is an initiative to raise funds for the fight against cancer where participants gather and relay walking for 24 hours, as a symbol of the constant battle of patients and their families. It will take place on Saturday, 18 June and Sunday, 19 June (noon to noon) at St John’s International School in Waterloo. We walk to honour those who have survived, those who are fighting and those who are no longer with us, including our dear former colleague Andreas Galanakis. We are calling on all members to support our efforts in two ways:

  • Join our team and come walk with us for a couple of hours. Bring family and friends to a kids-friendly and fun community event.
  • Make a donation (as an individual or as a company)

Town Hall on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence

24 May 2022
Responsible Business Conduct

On Tuesday, 24 May, AmCham EU hosted a Town Hall on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence with Allan Jorgensen, Head of Responsible Business Conduct Centre, OECD and Greta Koch, Policy Adviser and Press Officer, Office of Axel Voss MEP, European Parliament. The speakers will share their initial thoughts on the Commission’s proposal on the Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence as well as its alignment with international standards. The discussion was moderated by Julian Lageard (Intel), Chair, Responsible Business Conduct Task Force, AmCham EU.

Mastering the art of media relations

20 May 2022
All Committees

The newly launched Comms talks series returned with its second episode on Friday, 20 May featuring SEC Newgate EU's award-winning media experts Victoria Main, CEO and Anne-Claude Martin, Media Coordinator. The topic of focus? How to ace media relations in Brussels and beyond. During the interactive session, the two shared insights on the overall media landscape in Brussels, tips on getting the most out of your media strategy, what makes journalists tick and how to work best with them. Above all, the two stressed the need for win-win situations and why it's important to remember to keep the human touch when nurturing relationships with journalists and media in Brussels and beyond.

Debriefing the TTC with David De Falco

20 May 2022
All Committees
Digital Economy
Trade & External Affairs

On Wednesday, 18 May, AmCham EU hosted a Trade and Technology Council (TTC) debrief session together with the US Department of Commerce. The debrief was given by David De Falco, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Europe and Eurasia, US Department of Commerce and moderated by Thibaut L’Ortye, Director of Public Affairs, AmCham EU. The in-person discussion focussed on the outcomes of recent Trade and Technology Council Ministerial and stressed the importance of the TTC enduring as a forum for EU-US cooperation beyond political cycles.

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