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Liam Benham elected as Chair of AmCham EU

12 Dec 2023
All Committees
Board

The American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union (AmCham EU) announced that Liam Benham, President, EU, NATO and Government Affairs, Europe, Boeing has been elected as its new Chair. Liam Benham succeeds Zeger Vercouteren, Vice-President Worldwide Government Affairs & Policy for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and Global Supply Chain, Johnson & Johnson who served as Chair over the last three years. Mr Benham began his two-year term on Tuesday, 12 December 2023. AmCham EU is grateful to Mr Vercouteren for his leadership and dedication to the organisation while serving as Chair. 

Charting the future of EU-UK relations

12 Dec 2023
All Committees
EU-UK

What are the next steps in rebuilding EU-UK relations? That’s what we explored during our panel discussion on Tuesday, 12 December. With further developments around the Windsor Framework, we heard from policymakers and industry stakeholders on how we can keep the relationship on track. Despite regulatory divergence and Brexit as the backdrop, we remain optimistic on future relations between the two parties. During the event, AmCham EU also completed the handover for the new Chair of the Board, Liam Benham (Boeing).  

Giving Back - AmCham EU donates over 90 boxes to the Shoe-Box project 2023

11 Dec 2023
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 over 90 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 – check out the highlights here and learn more about our working in giving back on our dedicated page. 

Risk versus reward: managing the EU-China relationship

8 Dec 2023
All Committees

Despite the significant political, commercial and digital differences that underlie the EU-China relationship, China remains an influential geopolitical actor that the EU cannot neglect. Intertwined supply chains and increased trade flows over the past decade mean Europe must continue to engage with and on China together with like-minded partners such as the US. However, that’s easier said than done. Read how Europe can de-risk to avoid harming business while also continuing to reap the rewards of the Chinese market. 

The role of diversity, equity and inclusion in public affairs

8 Dec 2023
All Committees
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) aren’t just buzzwords – they’re principles that must be integrated into everything we do. By weaving in the values of DE&I into our day-to-day work, we can ensure our messages resonate with broader audiences and have a larger impact without leaving anyone behind. These are the lessons, and more, that we explored in the latest session of our Comms talks series with the Brussels Binder’s Audrey-Flore Ngomsik, President and Indre Krivait, Communications Working Group Volunteer.

Deepening the transatlantic partnership in Frankfurt

6 Dec 2023
All Committees
Transatlantic

On Thursday, 30 November, Susan Danger, CEO, AmCham EU spoke at AmCham Germany’s 17th Transatlantic Business Conference. Held in Frankfurt, Germany, the conference focused on the potential of deepening the transatlantic partnership considering rapidly developing technologies, security challenges and shifts in international relations. Kicking off the day, Ms Danger joined an EMPOWER HER session focused on women leaders. Afterwards Ms Danger spoke on the importance of strong US ties to both EU Members States and to Europe as a whole. The speakers tied into this theme by making it clear that the attractiveness of Europe is inseparable from the attractiveness of individual EU countries.  

A stroll down memory lane: 60 years of friendship at our alumni party

4 Dec 2023
All Committees

Bringing together former and current staff, our alumni party on Friday, 1 December was an evening to remember. Attended by over 75 of our current and former colleagues, guests had a chance to reconnect against the backdrop of our 60th anniversary. We toasted to six decades as a network that has stood the test of time, while also looking at where our shared connections can bring us in the future.   

Towards competitive and resilient transatlantic financial markets

1 Dec 2023
All Committees
Financial Services

What does the future hold for financial services? On Tuesday, 28 November, AmCham EU explored this, hearing perspectives from various policymakers. Tom Dechaene, Director, Board of Directors, National Bank of Belgium gave his view on the developments in the European financial services space in a keynote speech. Afterwards, a panel discussion covered how the EU, UK and US can cooperate on making the financial markets more competitive and resilient.   

Invested in Europe: fostering advanced manufacturing with Dell

1 Dec 2023
All Committees

Since opening its first European manufacturing site in 1990, Dell Technologies has been contributing to the continent’s extensive technology ecosystem in everything from fostering digital skills to shoring up its supply of components and providing infrastructure. Advancing that legacy, it recently opened two cutting-edge technology testing and research centres to help Europe realise its advanced manufacturing potential. The Customer Solution Centre Innovation Lab in Limerick showcases solutions for real-world use cases and enables businesses to unlock the power of emerging technologies. At the recently re-developed Dell Technologies Customer Solution Centre in Cork, businesses can test drive their datasets and workloads prior to deployment, gaining valuable hands-on experience before going live. Through these facilities, Dell is doing its part to position Europe as a global technology hub.  

Pioneering Reusable Packaging in Germany

27 Nov 2023
All Committees
Healthcare

In 2021 MSD Animal Health became the first manufacturing pharmaceutical company in Germany to implement a reusable packaging system and ship medicines and vaccines in sustainable, reusable boxes.  In its quest to lessen its impact on the estimated 177.9 kg of packaging waste that each EU inhabitant generated in 2020, the company reduced its CO2 footprint by more than 50% and saved more than 80% of water by eliminating disposable packaging. In just two years, MSD Animal Health delivered one million reusable boxes in Germany. In light of its success, MSD is now working to introduce reusable boxes into shipping processes in other countries as well.   

Uniting for a greener future at COP28

27 Nov 2023
All Committees

From Thursday, 30 November, leaders from around the world will convene in Dubai for the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) to discuss strategies for accelerating progress toward the Paris Agreement’s goals. These conversations are critical as we witness the concrete consequences of climate change across the globe. 
 

Advancing financial services and sustainability across France and the EU

24 Nov 2023
All Committees
Financial Services
Sustainable Finance

From Monday, 20 November to Tuesday, 21 November, AmCham EU visited Paris and Strasbourg, France to discuss several financial services topics including the Capital Markets Union Implementation, the Banking Union, digital finance and payments. While in Paris, delegates met with representatives from the European Banking Authority, European Securities and Markets Authority, General Directorate of the French Treasury, the French Prudential Supervision and Resolution Authority and French Financial Markets Authority. On the second day of the trip, delegates met with the Rapporteurs and Shadow Rapporteurs on leading financial service files to discuss the current developments, as well as how to ensure effective cross-border regulation.  

Forging environmental ties in Rome

24 Nov 2023
All Committees
Environment

From Monday, 13 November to Wednesday, 15 November, AmCham EU visited Rome, Italy to discuss top-line environmental topics. Delegates discussed a wide range of issues pertaining to chemicals and circular economy. Throughout the trip, delegates met with a variety of Italian ministries to build closer relationships at a member state level.  

EU-New Zealand Agreement: EP vote is a step further towards a stronger role of the EU in the Asia-Pacific

23 Nov 2023
All Committees
Trade & External Affairs

The approval by the European Parliament of the free trade agreement (FTA) between the EU and New Zealand is a significant achievement for the EU trade policy ambitions and for European competitiveness. We now call on the Council to ratify this deal before the end of the mandate. This deal shows that the EU can still be a credible and attractive trading partner and can deliver on its commitments to openness, diversification and stronger relationships with reliable third countries, in particular in such a strategic region like the Asia-Pacific one.

Membership update: AmCham EU welcomes new member company

21 Nov 2023
All Committees

We are delighted to announce our membership has grown as Kenvue has been approved as a new member. We wish a warm welcome to our new member and look forward to working closely on our advocacy efforts in the future.   

Past and present: a recap of our 40th Competition Policy Conference

20 Nov 2023
All Committees
Competition policy

This year’s Annual Competition Policy Conference ‘Looking to the past, shaping the future’, took place on Thursday, 16 October. The conference focused on the last 40 years of competition policy and what lessons we can take with us to prepare us for the future. Susan Danger, CEO, AmCham EU kicked off the event by underling how strong competition policies are needed to reinforce Europe’s place as an attractive environment for businesses to invest. Elsa Sependa, Chair of the Competition Policy Committee, highlighted AmCham EU's role as a facilitator of transatlantic dialogue on competition policy at a moment of great change in regulation. During the event, we heard from Marc van der Woude, President, General Court of the European Union who identified everlasting trends in competition policy discussion and their value to both examinations of its past, and debate around its future. 

AmCham EU confirms new Vice-Chair (Lawyer/Consultant) of the Board of Directors

13 Nov 2023
All Committees
Board

AmCham EU would like to congratulate Hans Hack (FTI Consulting), who has been confirmed as the new Vice-Chair (Lawyer/Consultant) of the Board of Directors for a two-year mandate. The nomination is following the end of the mandate of outgoing Board member Kaarli Eichhorn (Jones Day). AmCham EU expresses our sincere thanks for Kaarli's valuable contribution to the Board over the past three years. The official handover will take place at our next plenary meeting on Tuesday, 28 November. We welcome Hans to his new role and look forward to working with him. 

AmCham EU welcomes Jovita Neliupšienė, EU Ambassador-designate to the US

10 Nov 2023
All Committees

On Wednesday, 8 November, AmCham EU welcomed Jovita Neliupšienė, EU Ambassador-designate to the US, for a breakfast meeting prior to her upcoming appointment in January. The discussions covered a range of current issues, particularly around cultivating the attractiveness of Europe, the need for closer transatlantic ties in the face of global tensions as well as areas for future collaboration. 

Engaging European leaders with our Executive Council

8 Nov 2023
All Committees
Executive Council

What role can business play in boosting the attractiveness of Europe? That was one of the questions AmCham EU's Executive Council explored during its autumn plenary over Monday, 6 November and Tuesday, 7 November. The group met in Brussels for a series of internal planning meetings and external discussions with high-level stakeholders. Throughout the two days, conversations centred around the difficult geopolitical landscape, what can be done to strengthen the Single Market, how the private sector can engage with the EU institutions ahead of the upcoming elections and the importance of aligning with likeminded partners. 

A warm welcome to our new Executive Council members

8 Nov 2023
All Committees
Executive Council

Joining just in time to participate in the autumn plenary, we are delighted to welcome the following new members to our Executive Council: Olivier Marquette, President, Bulgaria, India, Jordan and Netherlands, The AES Corporation; Jaclyn McQuaid, President and Managing Director, General Motors Europe; Oliver Tuszik, President Europe Middle East and Africa, Cisco and Marc Vandiepenbeeck, President Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America, Johnson Controls. They join a group of senior executives leading the European operations of some of the world’s largest multinational companies.  

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