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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! 

Kicking off better lives for children

12 Dec 2024
All Committees

Since 2012, the Feyenoord Foundation’s Street League has inspired young people in Rotterdam South through football, promoting teamwork and self-confidence among children aged seven to 13. Supported by LyondellBasell since 2020, this programme addresses the needs of an area where nearly 30% of people live in poverty. Beyond sports, children who participate in Street League earn points by volunteering to build skills and community spirit. Along with €200,000 in annual support from LyondellBasell, colleagues also volunteer and help shape the foundation’s impact. Learn how the company is contributing to a healthier, more connected community on Invested in Europe.  

Bolstering Europe’s defence base through transatlantic cooperation

11 Dec 2024
All Committees
Security, Defence & Space

With Europe facing a number of security challenges and an uncertain geopolitical landscape, now is the time for policymakers to bolster its defence industrial base. But how can they navigate the task of balancing calls for reduced dependencies while maximising the potential of working with likeminded partners? On Tuesday, 10 December, Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Defence and Space, European Commission and decision makers joined us to discuss strengthening Europe’s resilience and security. The Commissioner highlighted three areas of focus around supporting Ukraine, enhancing the EU’s readiness and securing defence financing. Transatlantic cooperation will be essential to achieving a more secure Europe, here’s how we can create a more competitive, innovative and resilient defence industry. 

Putting inclusion on the menu

10 Dec 2024
All Committees
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

On Monday, 9 December, AmCham EU hosted a high-level diversity and inclusion to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The lunch took place at 65 degrés, a restaurant that employs staff with disabilities, and featured a keynote speech from Mario Nava, Director-General, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, European Commission. The conversations over lunch allowed businesses to showcase to decision-makers examples of how they are driving a more inclusive society and how partnerships between public and private sectors can support this important work. 

How the EU-Mercosur trade agreement will spur growth

9 Dec 2024
All Committees
Trade & External Affairs

AmCham EU congratulates the EU and Mercosur on finalising negotiations for the landmark partnership agreement between the two regions, 25 years since the negotiations started. This deal is the largest ever concluded by the EU, as well as the first trade agreement signed between Mercosur and a major trading partner. This deal will deepen economic ties, unlocking a consumer market of 284 million people for companies in Europe. The agreement will also further facilitate trade in goods and services that is already worth over €159 billion annually. Through swift ratification, both parties can deliver the economic recovery and development that is much needed on both sides of the Atlantic. 

Navigating uncertainty with the Public Affairs Council

5 Dec 2024
All Committees

At the European Digital Advocacy Summit 2024, Thibaut L’Ortye, Senior Director of Public Affairs, AmCham EU spoke on how businesses help maintain stability and overcome challenges in turbulent times. Organised by the Public Affairs Council on Wednesday, 4 December, Mr L’Ortye highlighted the importance of a principle-based, non-partisan approach to communication, prioritising clarity while acknowledging complexity. By taking these steps, organisations can demonstrate long-term consistency on issues and build trust. With transparent, value-driven advocacy, industry can increasingly become important partners in addressing today’s most pressing challenges. 

Where does tax policy fit into the competitiveness puzzle?

4 Dec 2024

What role does EU tax policy play in driving growth? That’s what we found out on Tuesday, 3 December during a panel discussion. Our speakers looked at the benefits of streamlined taxation systems and the role they could play in Europe’s competitiveness. They began by examining the origins of tax policy across Europe, its role in revenue-raising and other policy goals. Afterwards, the panel looked at specific types of taxes, focusing on the role that VAT plays in establishing a sustainable and resilient tax base, on top of which policymakers can use other types of taxes and benefits to promote competitiveness and other goals. 

Navigating sustainability in Serbia

3 Dec 2024
All Committees
Environment
Transport, Energy & Climate

On Monday, 2 December, Anastasia Lajri, Policy Adviser, AmCham EU, spoke at AmCham Serbia’s Responsible Business Dialogue. The discussion focused on the EU's sustainability reporting landscape and the extraterritorial reach of policies. Ms Lajri discussed the impact of these legislations on non-EU companies with a significant EU presence. She recommended harmonising reporting frameworks to ensure alignment with international standards to facilitate investment in Europe. With clear compliance guidelines, feedback systems and assessments, the EU can achieve its green ambitions.

Digging deeper into the transatlantic relationship with AmCham Luxembourg

3 Dec 2024
All Committees

On Wednesday 27 November, Thibaut L’Ortye, Senior Director of Public Affairs, AmCham EU presented The Transatlantic Economy 2024 report at AmCham Luxembourg’s Transatlantic Trade and Investment event. Thomas Barrett, US Ambassador to Luxembourg highlighted the strong ties between Luxembourg and the US, with over 70,000 people employed thanks to the partnership. During his section, Mr L’Ortye presented the results of the report, with a particular focus on the resiliency of the EU-US relationship. Despite differing views on certain issues, the transatlantic partnership remains the most integrated in the world, directly responsible for 16 million jobs and one third of global GDP. 

New College of Commissioners awarded mandate to deliver on competitiveness

27 Nov 2024
All Committees

AmCham EU congratulates the new College of Commissioners on its election. The College now has the responsibility to strengthen the Single Market’s attractiveness as an investment destination – and there is no time to waste. The GDP and innovation gap between the EU and other leading economies is widening, and in 2023, foreign direct investment into Europe fell by 4%.

Advancing opportunities in digital trade

26 Nov 2024
All Committees

On Thursday, 21 November, AmCham EU, DIGITALEUROPE and the Swedish National Board of Trade held a roundtable discussion on the challenges and opportunities in digital trade. The discussion focused on progress in standardisation and critical technologies, highlighting the value of EU-US cooperation under the Trade and Technology Council (TTC). Participants emphasised the significance of ongoing e-commerce negotiations and the WTO moratorium, as well as aligning digital trade policies to tackle emerging priorities. Strengthening partnerships with like-minded allies through free trade agreements and digital partnerships is essential for fostering innovation and growth. Collaboration remains pivotal for shaping the future of global digital trade. 

Upskilling Europe: bridging the growing skills gap

26 Nov 2024
All Committees

Europe faces a growing mismatch between workers’ skills and companies’ needs, particularly in the digital economy. Only 27% of the EU population reported above-basic digital skills in 2021, according to Eurostat. Addressing this gap requires collaboration between governments, businesses and educational institutions. AmCham EU’s Attractiveness of Europe: Agenda for Action 2024-2029 highlights practical solutions, such as fostering industry-education partnerships, incentivising upskilling initiatives and prioritising science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) training. As detailed on AmCham EU's Invested in Europe website, American companies are leading by example, with initiatives like Apple’s Developer Academy in Italy, Oracle’s inclusive STEM programmes in Spain and AES’ technical training partnership in Bulgaria. Discover more in our latest blog post. 

Using collaboration to tackle global trade challenges

26 Nov 2024
All Committees

On Friday, 22 November Malte Lohan, CEO, AmCham EU spoke at the European Commission’s high-level forum on global non-market overcapacity. Organised by Inspire, Debate, Engage and Accelerate Action, the internal advisory hub to European Commission President von der Leyen, Mr Lohan underscored the critical importance of addressing global trade challenges. With companies facing increasingly stringent regulatory requirements in Europe that their counterparts in non-market economies are not held to, he emphasised the need for a proactive competitiveness roadmap and an ambitious trade agenda. He also underscored the importance of a unified EU-US response. By working via platforms such as the Trade and Technology Council and the WTO, both Europe and the US can collaborate on shared challenges, including overcapacity.

Taking action to strengthen Europe's economic future

26 Nov 2024
All Committees

Europe’s competitiveness must be on top of the agenda. That was the main message AmCham EU's Executive Council shared during their fall plenary on Tuesday, 19 November to Wednesday, 20 November 2024. The group of senior executives underlined why the widening GDP gap with other parts of the world, stagnating innovation and the regulatory burden business faces needs to be addressed. European operations are a vital part of the global footprint of American companies. Immediate action is required to make it easier for these business to continue doing business in the EU. Learn more about who the group met with while here and find out how we can build a more prosperous future for European citizens in our Agenda for Action. 

Continuing the COP29 conversation

25 Nov 2024
All Committees
Environment
Transport, Energy & Climate

From Monday, 11 November to Friday, 21 November 2024, global leaders in government, business and civil society convened in Baku, Azerbaijan for the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29). The international forum’s critical discussions centred on climate finance, adaptation strategies, the acceleration of low-carbon energy technologies and more. For American companies invested in Europe, the conference is key to fostering a successful green transition around the world. 

1000 days later: support for Ukraine remains essential

19 Nov 2024
All Committees
Ukraine Task Force

1000 days on from Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, AmChams in Europe remains steadfast in its support for the Ukrainian people. Since 24 February 2022, Ukraine has demonstrated remarkable resilience. Motivated by this resolve, governments on both sides of the Atlantic have been determined and united in supporting Ukraine and its people. The strength of this response is a testament to the power of Transatlantic cooperation and public-private partnerships. 

Taking a bite out of food insecurity

19 Nov 2024
All Committees

LyondellBasell’s Advancing Good programme invested over €1 million across nine European countries in 2023 to address food insecurity, support health and promote youth education. More than funding, LyondellBasell’s local teams led volunteer initiatives tailored to community needs. Highlights include supporting food banks in the Netherlands, opening a low-cost grocery store in France and organising volunteer events on World Food Day. LyondellBasell colleagues spent over 7,500 hours helping 40,000 people across ten European countries throughout 2023. Learn more about the company's commitment to communities in Europe on Invested in Europe.  

Taking steps towards ratifying the EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement

18 Nov 2024
All Committees
Trade & External Affairs

In 2022, EU and Mercosur trade in goods and services reached €159 billion, with mutual investments nearing €380 billion. To further support these deep economic ties, both Europe and Mercosur must work together to finalise their Free Trade Agreement. With 77 business associations from across the Atlantic, we are emphasising the agreement’s potential to boost trade, foster investment and promote sustainable development. Learn why ratifying the agreement can promote supply chain stability, enhance cooperation and growth between the two regions.

41st Annual Competition Policy Conference: Balancing rules-based competition policy and economic security

18 Nov 2024
All Committees
Competition policy

This year’s Annual Competition Policy Conference ‘Competition policy and economic security’, took place on Thursday, 14 November. The conference focused on how to balance a rules-based approach to competition policy with a more geopolitically-driven model. Malte Lohan, CEO and Elsa Sependa (AT&T), Chair, Competition Policy Committee, AmCham EU kicked off the event by underling the need for effective and fair competition rules to ensure that Europe remains attractive and competitive on the global stage. During the event, we heard from Damien Gérard, Prosecutor General, Belgian Competition Authority who presented the Belgian Competition Authority’s approach of using competition policy to speed up the development of digital infrastructure. 

Discussing healthcare developments in Copenhagen

15 Nov 2024
All Committees

From Monday, 4 November to Wednesday, 6 November, AmCham EU visited Copenhagen, Denmark to engage with Danish officials and discuss the latest life science developments. The delegates met with representatives from a range of government institutions, including the Ministry of Business, the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of the Interior and Health. Top of mind throughout the visit was the potential revision of the Medical Devices Regulation, the Critical Medicines Act and the EU Pharmaceutical Legislation. With the EU being the world’s largest exporter of medicines in 2023, learn why reliable global life sciences supply chains are fundamental to resilient health systems.

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