Small and medium-sized enterprises play a crucial role in Europe’s economy, representing roughly 99% of all enterprises across the region. To showcase the role of SMEs in the EU, AmCham EU hosted a roundtable in the build-up to the highly anticipated EU-US summit with Gina Raimondo, US Secretary of Commerce on her first visit overseas alongside Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market. The conversation featured a range of European SMEs as well as a few senior executives from larger American and European companies.
AmCham EU hosts Commissioner Breton and Secretary Raimondo
Small and medium-sized enterprises play a crucial role in Europe’s economy, representing roughly 99% of all enterprises across the region. To showcase the role of SMEs in the EU, AmCham EU hosted a roundtable in the build-up to the highly anticipated EU-US summit with Gina Raimondo, US Secretary of Commerce on her first visit overseas alongside Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market. The conversation featured a range of European SMEs as well as a few senior executives from larger American and European companies.
The roundtable, which took place on Monday, 14 June, focused on practical examples of partnerships between EU and US businesses, highlighting the impacts and benefits of transatlantic cooperation for both sides of the Atlantic. Participants emphasised the role of digital as an enabler of free and vibrant trade across industries while touching on how to strengthen the resilience of global supply chains for a sustainable, post-COVID-19 recovery. Commissioner Breton and Secretary Raimondo also shared their insights on the EU-US summit, the transatlantic relationship and more in videos that can be viewed here (Commissioner Breton) and here (Secretary Raimondo).
Interested in learning more on the topics discussed, as well as the most up-to-date facts and figures on the transatlantic economy? Visit our page on the transatlantic relationship for more.
Related items
:focal())
News
24 Apr 2026
EU-US critical minerals agreement: mutually beneficial transatlantic cooperation in action
The new EU-US strategic partnership on critical minerals marks a positive step forward for the transatlantic relationship, demonstrating how EU-US cooperation can deliver benefits for businesses on both sides of the Atlantic. Critical minerals sit at the heart of modern technologies and industrial value chains, essential to products like semiconductors and future energy technologies. This strategic partnership will help provide American and European companies with a more secure supply of these inputs. More broadly, the agreement can support the EU and US economies in reducing strategic dependencies in global critical minerals trade – a shared challenge.
Beyond critical minerals, the strategic partnership points to an opportunity for a new chapter in EU-US cooperation built around shared economic and strategic priorities. The two sides have a greater impact when using their combined weight to address shared challenges. Pursuing the kind of cooperation outlined in the strategic partnership should be a priority as the two sides build on the August 2025 EU-US Joint Statement, with further opportunities for coordination on issues such as securing industrial supply chains for AI development, tackling non-market trading practices and bolstering transatlantic cyber resilience.
:focal())
News
20 Apr 2026
Navigating Europe’s defence landscape
On Wednesday, 16 April, AmCham EU met with Michael J. Vaccaro, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, US Department of State. The exchange with members focused on transatlantic defence industrial cooperation, regulatory issues shaping European Defence Markets and the ability of US companies to support European rearmament. Malte Lohan, CEO, AmCham EU also highlighted the importance of an open policy environment across the Atlantic to support cooperation and enable companies to contribute to Europe’s security and defence industrial base.
:focal())
Blog
2 Apr 2026
One year on from ‘Liberation Day’, the transatlantic economy still stands strong – but it needs stability
Authored by Malte Lohan, CEO, AmCham EU
Policy priorities
Insights and advocacy driving Europe’s policy agenda. Our priorities support growth, innovation and a stronger transatlantic economy.
Membership
Connecting business and policymakers to strengthen the voice of American companies in Europe.