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On Wednesday, March 18, AmCham EU co-organised the AmChams in Europe Brussels Doorknock. Hosted at AmCham EU’s offices, the programme brought together representatives from AmChams across Europe for meetings with EU policymakers and stakeholders in Brussels. 

The group met with Jakob Wegener Friis, Chief Economic Advisor to the President of the European Council; Didrik de Schaetzen, Secretary General, ALDE Party, European Parliament; Klaus Welle, Special Advisor to the Commissioner for Defense and Space and Chairman, Academic Council, Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies and Fabian Zuleeg, Chief Executive and Chief Economist, European Policy Centre. 

The European Parliament’s International Trade (INTA) Committee vote to approve the Commission’s tariff reduction proposals keeps the implementation of the July 2025 EU-US Framework Agreement on track. This vote was a critical signal that the EU intends to stick to its side of the deal, just as we expect the US to uphold theirs.

AmCham EU now calls for the European Parliament to adopt these proposals in a plenary vote at the earliest possible opportunity. The transatlantic commercial relationship is worth $9.8 trillion, with $6.4 billion in goods and services exchanged between Europe and the US every day. Predictability on the rules and costs of trading across the Atlantic is essential for planning, investment and jobs.

AmCham EU is opposed to broad-based tariffs. We understand MEPs’ caution in a volatile transatlantic political environment and have called for the US administration to provide greater clarity on its tariff policy. However, given political priorities on both sides, we still see the EU-US Framework Agreement as the most realistic path to securing a more constructive EU-US trade and investment climate that helps businesses plan ahead.

Beyond tariffs, the Framework Agreement offers a platform for deeper EU-US cooperation on shared priorities, including critical minerals supply chains, addressing nonmarket practices and strengthening cybersecurity. Today’s vote paves the way for the next phase of that agenda.

On Tuesday, 17 March, AmCham EU hosted its Transatlantic Dinner, bringing together AmCham EU senior members, selected partners and representatives from the European institutions  for an exchange with Andrew Puzder, US Ambassador to the EU and Vsevolod Chentsov, Ukrainian Ambassador to the EU. 

Malte Lohan, CEO, AmCham EU, opened the evening by reaffirming the organisation’s commitment to building a strong Europe and strengthening transatlantic ties. Liam Benham (Boeing), Chair, AmCham EU, highlighted the challenging environment for businesses amid economic and political uncertainty, while underscoring the resilience of the transatlantic economy, now valued at $9.8 trillion. He emphasised the importance of predictability, a competitive Europe and an open investment environment to support growth. 

The discussion also highlighted the role of business in supporting Ukraine’s reconstruction and recovery, as well as the importance of continued cooperation between the EU and US to strengthen economic ties and address shared challenges.