News

Rewarding start-ups on the Single Market’s anniversary

On Wednesday, 7 June, Thibaut L’Ortye, Public Affairs Director, AmCham EU, organised in collaboration with Junior Achievement Europe. The first edition of the competition, held in celebration of the 30th anniversary of EUROPEN and the Single Market, recognises start-ups that maximise the opportunities presented by the Single Market. The winner, SEaNSOR from Greece, offers a solution to illegal fishing and locating waste through the use of sound sensors. SEaNSOR received a €1,000 prize and was invited to attend the Gen-E 2023 conference in Istanbul.

Levelling the playing field for European investment

Reports show that the European Commission is considering ways to limit administrative barriers in the Foreign Subsidies Regulation Implementing Regulation (FSR IR) to ensure that the FSR does not deter investment in Europe. AmCham EU, along with nine other signatories, is encouraged to see that industry feedback has been considered in the text. Limiting onerous reporting obligations, addressing confidentiality concerns and exempting certain categories of non-distortive financial contributions would make FSR compliance easier for companies committed to investing in Europe. Read why we are encouraged by the Commission's reported consideration of industry perspectives. 

AmCham EU Board hosts Ambassador Ailish Campbell

On Friday, 2 June, AmCham EU’s Board of Directors welcomed Ailish Campbell, Ambassador of Canada to the European Union. The discussions covered a range of current issues as well as insights on the investment climate, artificial intelligence, the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the war in Ukraine.   

The details of data

What can Europe and the US do to build closer ties through data? Our panel discussion on Thursday, 1 June moderated by Tanguy Van Overstraeten, Issue Lead, Privacy and Data Flows, AmCham EU and Partner, Linklaters explored this question and more. Participants heard why an effective framework for transatlantic data flows is needed from Bruno Gencarelli, Head of Unit, International Affairs and Data Flows, Directorate-General for Justice, European Commission; Aaron Held, Commercial Officer, Digital Policy, Health Policy, Artificial Intelligence Policy, US Mission to the EU and Gwendal Legrand, Deputy Head of the European Data Protection Board Secretariat, European Data Protection Board. 

Priorities at the fourth TTC in Luleå, Sweden

The EU and the US will meet on 30-31 May, in Luleå, Sweden, to hold the fourth Trade and Technology Council ministerial meeting. It is critical that, among others, they push for more details on an expected agreement on critical raw materials, encourage further transparency in semiconductor supply chains and advance on the ongoing cooperation on artificial intelligence. You can read more about our priorities to the fourth ministerial here.

Addressing industry concerns on the Product Liability Directive

Discussions around the Product Liability Directive must not to be rushed to avoid harming innovation in the technology sector. In order to craft a proportionate consumer protection framework, AmCham EU and eight other organisations have signed a letter outlining industry concerns that the Commission must address. Read the joint statement for more on our concerns and recommendations. 

Industry raises concerns over the EU Cybersecurity Certification Scheme for Cloud Services

AmCham EU, along with 12 other organisations, calls for a swift adoption of a workable and non-discriminatory EU Cybersecurity Certification Scheme (EUCS). Transparency, stakeholder involvement, digital sovereignty requirements and clarity with other EU legislation are just some of the areas that must be addressed. Any EU cybersecurity certification scheme should focus on technical measures to strengthen security and resiliency and, it should rely on and be aligned with consensus-based international standards that have proven to be efficient by way of broad industry adoption. Read more in the joint business statement. 

Leadership Update

AmCham EU is pleased to announce recent election results and welcome these new and re-elected leaders. We wish successful terms to Jérémy Fouriau (HP Inc.); Luca Ibelli (Procter & Gamble); Fanny van der Loo (Edwards Lifesciences); Natasa Sbrizaj (3M); and Antonella Sopranzetti (ExxonMobil) who were elected in February. In March we announced the elections of Jean-Marc Leclerc (IBM) and Emilia Valbum (3M). 

The Secretariat would also like to thank those who are stepping down for the extraordinary work they completed during their terms: Sophia Chrysopoulou (The Coca-Cola Company), Marija Dabrisiute (formerly BCW), Emilia Valbum (3M), who continues as Vice-Chair, Transport, Energy and Climate Committee; and Christelle Verstraeten (formerly ChargePoint). 

More details about the leadership changes mentioned above can be found here.   

AmCham EU heads across the pond with AmChams in Europe

From Sunday, 7 May to Friday, 12 May, Susan Danger, CEO, AmCham EU participated in a delegation of AmChams in Europe to the United States, in her capacity as Chairwoman of the network. Thibaut L’Ortye, Director of Public Affairs, AmCham EU also joined the trip which brought together  representatives from 25+ AmChams. The group met with leading US stakeholders, including Jose Fernandez, Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, US Department of State; Marisa Lago, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, International Trade Administration, US Department of Commerce and Suzanne Clark, President and CEO, US Chamber of Commerce; to discuss the importance of the transatlantic relationship, the competitiveness of Europe, energy and other global challenges.