News

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.

AmCham EU Town Hall with Eva Maydell, MEP

On Wednesday, 8 April, AmCham EU held its second Town Hall meeting for members. The meeting featured a discussion with Eva Maydell, Member of European Parliament, who provided her insights into the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak – more specifically, into the EU’s response to the pandemic and the extreme need for cooperation, exchange of best practices and expertise between policy-makers and stakeholders in this current context.

These new online members-only sessions aiming to share priorities and concerns as well as to update members on AmCham EU's activities will happen on a weekly basis and will analyse the impact of COVID-19 with experts. For more information, please contact Roberta Brumana (RBR@amchameu.eu).  

AmChams in Europe: Solidarity, coordination and action

Solidarity, coordination and action: what we need to fight COVID-19 and protect the economy

The world is facing an extraordinary challenge from the outbreak of COVID-19. The pandemic poses a severe threat to the health and wellbeing of citizens and the global economy with harmful consequences for all parts of society. AmChams in Europe, the umbrella organization for 45 AmChams from 43 countries across Europe and Eurasia, fully support governments’ efforts to tackle the pandemic and mitigate its effects. The mobilization of resources has been unprecedented, and we need continued leadership to address the impact of the crisis on society.

AmCham Turkey Webinar

On Friday, 3 April, Susan Danger, CEO, AmCham EU and Joris Pollet, Chair of Operations Group AmCham EU and Managing Director Government Relations Europe, Procter & Gamble joined a webinar organised by AmCham Turkey/American Business Forum in Turkey (ABFT) on Europe's Approach to COVID-19: Business Continuity & Social Impacts. In a discussion moderated by Tankut Turnaoğlu, AmCham Turkey/ABFT Chair (Procter & Gamble), Susan highlighted the EU-wide response to fight against the outbreak and the steps taken by the AmChams in Europe network and AmCham EU in supporting their members. Joris Pollet focused on the actions taken by the private sector as well as best practices from the governments in Member States.

New COVID-19 portal

AmCham EU has developed a new public portal to share information and resources on the COVID-19 pandemic. It brings together updates from the EU institutions and Member States, as well as insights into the business response to the crisis. The portal also features initiatives from member companies to support local communities in Europe and globally through these unprecedented times. The information is being updated daily.

Visit the new portal.

AmCham EU and US Chamber of Commerce launch Transatlantic Economy 2020 report

On Thursday, 26 March 2020, the American Chamber of Commerce to the EU (AmCham EU) and the US Chamber of Commerce hosted an online event to mark the launch of our Transatlantic Economy 2020 report. To watch the event again, click here.

US chargé d'affaires dials in for our first online Plenary

On Tuesday, 24 March 2020, AmCham EU hosted its first online Plenary meeting with over 70 participants from across our membership. The internal part provided key updates on COVID-19, membership and upcoming policy initiatives. 

The Plenary then featured Mark Libby, Chargé d’Affaires, US Mission to the EU, who showcased US efforts to address the current pandemic and called for renewed EU-US cooperation to tackle the crisis.

The discussion was followed by a presentation on ongoing tax policy initiatives at the EU and OECD levels by Will Morris, Chair, Tax Committee, AmCham EU and Deputy Global Tax Policy Leader, PwC.