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Streamlining corporate taxation in the EU

30 Jan 2024
All Committees
Tax

The Business in Europe: Framework for Income Taxation Proposal (BEFIT) Directive Proposal represents an ambitious step towards harmonising corporate tax systems in the EU. However, we are concerned the current proposal would not reduce compliance burdens for affected companies. Lawmakers should wait for the full implementation of Pillar 2 before progressing with the draft. Instead, the European Commission can play a role in reviewing existing anti-avoidance and reporting rules for opportunities to streamline tax burdens, using member state seminars to ensure EU tax rules are implemented consistently, and providing further clarity on how Pillars 1 and 2 will apply in the EU. Read more about how European lawmakers can streamline administrative burdens and declutter corporate income tax.

Our proposals for a more effective control of dual-use goods exports

30 Jan 2024
All Committees
Digital Economy
Trade & External Affairs

The EU needs a harmonised and future-proof export control framework that adequately accounts for evolving technologies and creates a competitive environment for EU exporters, with special consideration for SMEs and academic institutions. This requires modernising the 2021 Dual-Use Regulation, ensuring effective export controls that are proportional, flexible and focus on end-users, and encouraging inclusive stakeholder participation in export control discussions. Moreover, as cross-border research, development and innovation initiatives become the global norm, it is essential that the EU and its trusted partners focus on developing interoperable export control rules. This would help ensure that their businesses can compete on a level playing field and jointly benefit from cutting-edge innovations – including AI technology, quantum computing, semiconductors and biotech – and make it harder for nefarious actors to exploit loopholes. 

Discussing consumer affairs with Arne Christoffels

29 Jan 2024
All Committees

On Wednesday, 24 January, AmCham EU met with Arne Christoffels, Head of Cabinet, Paul Van Tigchelt, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice. The discussion focused on consumer protection issues and the evolving litigation environment in the EU. With Belgium at the helm of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, learn how we can stand firm against protectionism while boosting the twin digital and green transitions. 

The Green Way 2024: in review

24 Jan 2024
All Committees
Environment
Transport, Energy & Climate

AmCham EU’s ‘The Green Way: growing sustainable supply chains’ conference took place on Tuesday, 23 January 2024 and explored how we can maximise the benefits of the tools available to swiftly enable the green transition. Whether it was through international environmental reporting standards, access to capital or more, attendees learned what needs to happen to modernise our approach to sustainability. Read more about what we learned throughout the day. 

Putting Europe's attractiveness back on the agenda with Enrico Letta

24 Jan 2024
All Committees

On Wednesday, 24 January members of AmCham EU’s Executive Council and senior representatives from our membership met with Enrico Letta, Italian politician and former Prime Minister of Italy. With Mr Letta having been tasked to write a report on the Future of the Single Market, the discussions centred on Europe’s competitiveness and addressing fragmentation within the bloc. As European elections approach, this report can play a crucial role in addressing the concerns around an increasingly complex environment for business and place the Single Market at the heart of the EU’s strategic agenda. 

Our recommendations to the Belgian Presidency

17 Jan 2024
All Committees

On 1 January, 2024, Belgium took over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union against the backdrop of a volatile external environment. Over the next six months, strengthening the case for invested in Europe should be the top priority for the Belgian Presidency. Our recommendations to the Belgian Presidency aim to raise issues that are vital to shaping a strong and competitive EU and provide concrete input and direction to the Presidency’s work program over the upcoming month. 

The Green Way: growing sustainable supply chains

10 Jan 2024
All Committees
Environment

The path to climate neutrality requires global commitment from the private and public sectors. These commitments are more important than ever, as recent events have shown that disruptions to supply chains impact not only to energy prices and innovation, but also the competitiveness of the EU. Join us on Tuesday, 23 January to learn about how digital innovation and the transatlantic relationship are among the tools that can help ensure a smooth green transition and shape Europe's business landscape.

Steel and aluminium tariff dispute: pause continues

20 Dec 2023
All Committees
Customs & Trade Facilitation

On Thursday, 28 December 2023, US President Joe Biden extended the suspension of tariffs on European Union steel and aluminium for the next two years. This decision arrived after the EU announced a suspension of the rebalancing tariffs on US products until March 2025, in the context of the steel and aluminium tariff trade dispute. This is a positive development as the deadline for the reintroduction of the measures was fast approaching. The EU and the US agreed to a two-year pause in 2021. A tit-for-tat between the EU and the US would hurt jobs, prosperity and security on both sides of the Atlantic. We hope that these decisions encourage the transatlantic partners to reach an agreement on this dispute and remove reciprocal tariffs fully and permanently in the coming months.

Register now - The transatlantic effect: shaping the global agenda

18 Dec 2023
All Committees

A new era has been established in the strategic alliance between the EU and the US. Together, the two influence global values and standards, shape policy, lead on international trade and drive change. However, faced with geopolitical tensions, unsolved irritants and potential domestic political changes, this global position is increasingly becoming challenged. Our Transatlantic Conference 2024 will explore how the ‘transatlantic effect’ is perceived internationally and how both sides of the Atlantic can future-proof their ability to shape the global agenda. Join us on Tuesday, 19 March 2024 for a day of discussions on the relevance and attractiveness of the transatlantic partnership in a changing world. 

Product Liability Directive: reviewing the political agreement

18 Dec 2023
All Committees
Consumer affairs

On Thursday 14 December, the EU reached a political agreement on the Product Liability Directive. This is an important step towards finalising a vital piece of legislation which should set in place a product liability framework that supports businesses bringing innovative products to market, protects consumers, and at the same time, maintains an appropriate balance between the interests of claimants and defendants in Member State courts.

Our priorities for the fifth Trade and Technology Council

18 Dec 2023
All Committees
Transatlantic

The fifth ministerial meeting of the EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC) will take place on Tuesday, 30 January 2024. The TTC is a unique forum for the EU and the US to tackle new and emerging issues arising from the transformation of our economies. However, there is scope to accelerate and amplify its impact. Both sides should seek to maintain the positive momentum and sustain the level of engagement. It will require continued investment, time and effort to ensure the TTC becomes a sustainable framework that is here to stay. As such, the public and private sectors both have a critical role to play in ensuring the TTC is a success in the long run.

Navigating concerns around Third Party Litigation Funding

15 Dec 2023
All Committees
Consumer affairs

On Friday, 1 December, 2023, addressing questions and issues around Third Party Litigation Funding (TPLF). Hosted in conjunction with the European Justice Forum, the event examined the growth in mass claims, and how we can find the necessary scope of research around Third Party Litigation Funding in preparation for a potential European Commission proposal. Attendees heard from a wide range of speakers who gave their perspectives on what impact TPLF will have across Europe. Despite different backgrounds and experiences, each of the speakers agreed that transparency should be the top priority in the TPLF conversation.  

Balancing the AI Act

14 Dec 2023
All Committees
Digital Economy

On Friday, 8 December, the EU reached a political agreement regarding the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act. This is a critical milestone for European policymakers, as it brings the Union one step closer to completing the world’s first comprehensive AI legislation. However, there remain key issues that must be addressed during the technical meetings of the coming weeks. Importantly, EU legislators should keep innovation at the forefront of the regulatory approach as well as strike the right balance between fostering technological advancements and safeguarding ethical and social considerations.

Empowering communities with Dow

13 Dec 2023
All Committees

Launched in 2019, Dow’s ALL IN Employee Resource Group (ERG) fund seeks to support local, European initiatives that help aspiring entrepreneurs, underprivileged young people, survivors of violence and more. The project empowers Dow’s employees to serve their communities by partnering with local organisations to create more diversity and inclusion in the places they live and work. As of April 2023,  ALL IN ERG projects have benefited more than 1,4000 people in Europe through a cumulative 1,200 volunteer hours from Dow colleagues.  

Celebrating 60 years with the help of the AmChams in Europe community

13 Dec 2023
All Committees

What’s the one word that comes to mind when thinking about AmCham EU? Community. That’s why we asked those in the AmChams in Europe network to share the one word that fits AmCham EU best for each of them as part of our 60th anniversary celebrations. Whether it’s friendship, trustworthiness, partnership or anything else, each had something nice to say. Take a look at the video to hear what they said!  

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.

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