News

AmCham EU Executive Council members virtually meet Commissioners Gentiloni and Breton

The Executive Council of AmCham EU held two virtual meetings with top EU officials. The group brings together senior business executives responsible for the European operations of some of AmCham EU’s member companies. The group is composed of 20 European CEOs and chaired by Aongus Hegarty, President International Markets, Dell Technologies. Read more about the Executive Council by following this link.

On Tuesday, 28 April 2020 the group met with:

• Paolo Gentiloni, Commissioner for Economy; and
• Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market.

AmCham EU publishes its cross-sectoral position on the EU-UK future relationship

The EU and the UK are currently in the midst of negotiations of their future relationship beyond the end of the current transition period. AmCham EU members have compiled a position paper, comprising horizontal and sectoral recommendations for negotiators. As American businesses heavily invested in the EU and the UK, AmCham EU stands for an ambitious and forward-looking EU-UK relationship, built on mutual trust and cooperation.

Wisconsin and the EU: Thriving Together

'Wisconsin and the countries of the EU are inextricably linked by history, culture, trade and investment. As we both move forward in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, those ties will be more important than ever' according to Melissa (Missy) Hughes, CEO, Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. 

Did you know that the EU is Wisconsin’s second-largest export destination? In 2019, Wisconsin’s exports to the EU totaled $4.1 billion comprised of industrial machinery, medical and scientific equipment and electrical machinery. Find out more about the close relationship between the EU and Wisconsin from Melinda's opinion piece available on our Thriving Together platform.

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.