News

Intellectual Property Action Plan

As the European Union faces unprecedented geopolitical, economic and health challenges, it has become increasingly necessary to identify key pillars that will support not only the economic recovery, but that also pave the way towards EU leadership on the global stage. We believe that intellectual property (IP) is one of these key pillars. A robust IP system based on strong IP rights (IPR) and appropriate enforcement drives European research, manufacturing, employment and innovation and attracts capital to innovative and creative enterprises.

In addition, IP-intensive industries create high-value and long-term jobs. In order to further strengthen European IP protection, AmCham EU wishes to make the following recommendations: complete the Unitary Patents System; strengthen the enforcement of IPR; adapt the EU framework to an increasingly digital ecosystem; and modernise the EU design legislation. AmCham EU looks forward to continuing the dialogue with EU policymakers on the IP Action Plan. Find out more details from our consultation response. 

EU-US tariff agreement: a positive development for the transatlantic relationship

On Friday 21 August, Commissioner Hogan and Ambassador Lighthizer announced that the EU and the US reached an agreement on a set of tariff reductions. The American Chamber of Commerce to the EU (AmCham EU) welcomes the deal as a small but positive step to normalise and deepen the EU-US trade relationship. 

The package is presented as part of a staged approach that will lead to additional deals between the two economies. AmCham EU continues to support every effort to advance the transatlantic trade and investment agenda. The EU-US economy is the engine of global growth and has a key role to play in powering the economic recovery. 16 million jobs rely on the relationship on both sides of the Atlantic.

For more information, please contact Thibaut L’Ortye, Associate Director of Public Affairs (TLO@amchameu.eu).

AmCham EU co-signs joint industry letter on Schrems II Case Ruling

AmCham EU has co-signed a letter to Didier Reynders, Justice Commissioner, European Commission; Wilbur Ross, US Secretary of Commerce and Dr Andrea Jelinek, Chairwoman, European Data Protection Board. The letter reiterates AmCham EU’s concern that the ruling to invalidate the EU-US Privacy Shield has caused uncertainty for thousands of businesses on both sides of the Atlantic engaging in data transfers. 

Collective redress: New consumer rules must safeguard against abusive litigation

The American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union (AmCham EU) supports the efforts of the Commission to guarantee a high level of consumer protection and provide redress to individuals who have been harmed by illegal practices. The newly endorsed proposal on representative actions enables consumers across the European Union to launch class action cases on a variety of legal matters. However, we are disappointed with the rushed final compromise text for the Directive that was agreed at the end of the Croatian presidency mandate.

AmCham EU hosted panel discussion on German Presidency

On Monday, 13 July, AmCham EU hosted a panel discussion on the German Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Speakers included: Ambassador Axel Dittman, Director, EU Institutional, Affairs, Brexit, EU Coordination and EU2020 Presidency, German Federal Foreign Office; Dr Wolfgang Dierker, Managing Director, GE Deutschland Holding GmbH and Policy Adviser, AmCham Germany and Dr Heiko Willems, Director, BDI/BDA, the German Business Representation. Cristina Falcone (UPS), Chair, Policy Group, AmCham EU moderated the discussion. 

Germany took over the Presidency from Croatia which dealt with the impact of COVID-19 since the early stages of its Presidency. The German Presidency and the next Presidency trio to will be responsible for leading the road to the economic recovery.

Due to the current pandemic, the German Presidency outlined that it needed to adapt to the new virtual world. The European summit which took place over last weekend, has been the first in-person meeting at the Council of the European Union in months. 

'Striving to be an inclusive employer': Susan Danger's perspectives on diversity and inclusion

On the occasion of the publication of our newest brochure, ‘Uniting for diversity: 22 industry contributions to a more inclusive society’, Susan Danger, CEO, AmCham EU sat down for an interview with Nick Pawley, Content Adviser, to offer her perspectives on striving to be an inclusive employer.

Court ruling on EU-US data transfers sends mixed signals to business

Brussels, 16 July 2020 – The American Chamber of Commerce to the EU (AmCham EU) acknowledges that the Court of Justice of the European Union has upheld the validity of standard contractual clauses (SCCs). Businesses and economies rely on the free flow of data to provide valued services to European consumers. SCCs are for many businesses the most accessible and stable means to transfer data outside of the EU. Today’s ruling delivers judicial endorsement of the important role SCCs play in providing adequate safeguards for EU citizens.

AmCham EU elects new Vice-Chair of the Board

AmCham EU would like to congratulate Kaarli Eichhorn (Jones Day), who has been elected as the new Vice-Chair (Lawyer/Consultant) of the Board of Directors for a two-year term. We welcome Kaarli to his new role, and look forward to working with him.

The election followed the end of the term of outgoing Vice-Chair Meglena Mihova (EPPA). AmCham EU places on record our sincere thanks for her valuable contribution to the board over the last three years.

Belgian start-up SAANA wins AmCham EU Youth Entrepreneurship Award 2020

The American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union (AmCham EU) and Junior Achievement Europe (JA Europe) are delighted to announce that SAANA, a Belgian start-up, is the winner of the eighth AmCham EU Youth Entrepreneurship Award.

Saana is made up of a team of cutting-edge researchers and experts who designed a unique personalised nutrition platform based on the latest science and a machine learning algorithm to enhance cancer patients’ continuum of care and chances of remission.