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Engaging with Poland before the upcoming Polish Presidency

7 Oct 2024
All Committees

From Tuesday, 1 October to Thursday, 3 October, AmCham EU visited Warsaw, Poland ahead of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The delegates took part in several meetings, including with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of State Assets and Ministry of Finance. This is part of AmCham EU’s longstanding efforts to engage with every Presidency given the important role they play in the Council. 

Sharing our message at the ALDE Congress

7 Oct 2024
All Committees

From Friday, 4 October to Sunday, 7 October, AmCham EU attended the ALDE Congress in Estoril, Portugal. During the Congress, the delegation engaged with a range of officials and participated in two roundtables, one on how Europe can strengthen its competitiveness and the other on Ukraine’s reconstruction. We continued to underline the messages from our Agenda for Action 2024-2029, which was released earlier this year. Much needs to be done to increase the attractiveness of Europe, but with decisive action, the EU can reset the agenda and strengthen its competitiveness in the global economy.  

Doubling down on the transatlantic relationship

2 Oct 2024
All Committees
Transatlantic

The EU and the US are each other’s closest strategic partners. They share fundamental values, interests and – thanks, in part, to the strength of the transatlantic economy – a collective responsibility to impact politics, economics and security. Now, as challenges test the foundations of the global order, Europe and the US must double down on cooperation to bring value to citizens and companies globally. Learn how

How third-party litigation funding is already impacting European businesses

2 Oct 2024
All Committees
Consumer affairs

Businesses face a rapidly growing risk of litigation in areas such as sustainability compliance, product liability and digital compliance. This litigation is often financed by third-party litigation funding (TPLF), which offers financial resources to litigants in exchange for a portion of the litigation proceeds. But without sufficient regulatory oversight, TPLF poses risks to the integrity of civil and commercial justice systems. These concerns have prompted calls for stronger EU-wide regulations to ensure transparency, fairness and genuine consumer advocacy in funded legal actions. Find out how TPLF is already increasing exposure to litigation risks across Europe.

Become a Halloween hero: donate blood or plasma and save lives

1 Oct 2024
All Committees

This Halloween give the gift of life by donating blood or plasma to the Belgian Red Cross. As the demand for these vital resources remains high, potential recipients can end up on long waitlists. Your act of kindness can make a world of difference. Sign up to donate blood today and be a hero to someone in need. Every drop counts – you have the power to save lives.

Integrating diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) into sustainability reporting strategies

1 Oct 2024
All Committees
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

How can organisations integrate DE&I practices into their sustainability strategies, especially as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive introduces more reporting requirements? That’s what we found out on Tuesday, 1 October during a panel discussion. On the regulatory side, our panelists examined how changing consumer trends are reinforcing DE&I practices and driving companies to become more transparent. Afterwards we turned to the industry perspective, where our speakers showcased the value of sustainability reporting for companies and explained how the wider business ecosystem is motivating them to become more inclusive. Finally, the discussion turned to how diversity within companies allows them to address the diverse needs of their stakeholders. 

EU Cybersecurity Certification Scheme: no more delays

30 Sep 2024
All Committees
Digital Economy

Cybersecurity plays a crucial role in supporting Europe's economic resilience, competitiveness and innovation capacity. The longer the European Union Cybersecurity Certification Scheme for Cloud Services’ (EUCS) implementation is delayed, the longer Europe has to wait to strengthen its cybersecurity resilience. To avoid harmful delays, we call on the European Commission, Member States and European Cybersecurity Certification Group (ECCG) experts to swiftly adopt the EUCS in the form presented by the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity in the March 2024 draft. Learn how Europe can bolster its digital economy.

Sharing best practices in Lisbon

30 Sep 2024
All Committees

In late September, 55 representatives from 31 American Chambers of Commerce attended the AmChams in Europe (ACE) Best Practices Conference in Lisbon, Portugal. Susan Danger, CEO, AmCham EU and Roger Coelho, Senior Policy Director joined to exchange best practices and knowledge, as well as to discuss relevant and shared issues impacting AmChams and their members from across Europe and wider regions. 

Kim Watts appointed as Board Member of SEAP

30 Sep 2024
All Committees

Kim Watts, Senior Policy Manager, AmCham EU has been appointed as Member of the Board of the Society of European Affairs Professionals (SEAP). In her new position, Kim will help to represent the voice of public affairs professionals in Brussels and contribute to SEAP's work programme for the new term. As a long-standing member of SEAP, AmCham EU fully embodies the organisation’s values of integrity, transparency and accuracy in our advocacy work. AmCham EU has always aimed to work to the highest standards of integrity and transparency in its relations with the EU institutions. 

EU Deforestation Regulation: effective implementation not possible without deferred application

30 Sep 2024
All Committees
Environment

Despite repeated calls for clarification from industry, the European Commission has failed to provide the appropriate guidance required for companies to comply with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). This uncertainty creates significant challenges for businesses seeking to invest in compliance measures. To provide clarity, the Commission must either defer the date of application of the EUDR by one year or, at a minimum, consider a period of grace from December 2024. Learn why the current implementation of the EUDR will impede sustainable supply chains and the tackling of global deforestation.

Sharing how Europe can attract investment with Susan Danger

30 Sep 2024
All Committees

How can Europe attract the investment that will better the lives of millions of citizens across the continent? That was the question put to Susan Danger, CEO, AmCham EU when she sat down for an interview with the Federation of Enterprises in Belgium (FEB). Throughout the interview, available on FEB’s website, Ms. Danger underlined the struggles that industry is facing in the EU. Between global uncertainty, heavy regulatory constraints and protectionist trends, business faces a challenging environment in Europe. To combat this, the EU needs to make it easier for companies to invest in the region and cooperate with like-minded partners. Learn more about how Europe can regain its attractiveness on the global stage.  

41st Annual Competition Policy Conference: Competition Policy and Economic Security

25 Sep 2024
All Committees
Competition policy

With new dynamics on both sides of the Atlantic, leaders face a crucial decision between maintaining a rules-based approach to competition policy or adopting a more industry-oriented approach. This decision is a difficult one to make, in particular as economic security dominates the agenda. But what role should governments play in striking the right balance between openness and strategic autonomy? Join us on Thursday, 14 November for our 41st Annual Competition Policy Conference, where we’ll look and the pros and cons of both approaches.

Reinvigorating Europe’s competitiveness with Susan Danger

19 Sep 2024
All Committees

Europe must take urgent action to regain its attractiveness. With the findings of the Draghi report adding to the alarm bells that business has been ringing for quite a while, now is the time to act. For Europe to address the challenges that are hindering its competitiveness, a rethinking of its regulatory framework, an emphasis on scaling up financing and prioritising strategic partnerships are crucial. Hear more from Susan Danger, CEO, AmCham EU on how Europe can regain its attractiveness

AmCham EU shortlisted for the Association Excellence Awards 2024

19 Sep 2024
All Committees

We’re proud to announce that AmCham EU has been shortlisted in three categories of the Association Excellence Awards 2024. Running since 2015, the awards celebrate the work that trade associations do on behalf of their members. The categories we have been nominated for are Best Celebratory Event, Best Leadership and Best Team. Good luck to the other finalists and stay tuned for Friday, 8 November when the winners will be revealed.  

Integrating diversity and inclusion into sustainability reporting

19 Sep 2024
All Committees
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

As the CSRD introduces more comprehensive sustainability reporting requirements across the EU, organizations must ensure that DE&I is not just an add-on but a core component of their sustainability strategies. This event will focus on how DE&I practices can be effectively integrated into the new reporting standards. Join us on Tuesday, 1 October where we will explore best practices, share challenges and uncover opportunities for collaboration to foster a more inclusive and sustainable business environment.

Engaging at Global Public Affairs Forum in Paris

19 Sep 2024
All Committees

On Wednesday 18 September, Thibaut L’Ortye, Senior Director, Public Affairs, AmCham EU represented the organisation at POLITICO Executive Network’s Global Public Affairs Forum in Paris, France. Mr L’Ortye spoke about the upcoming US elections and emphasised the need for continued collaboration across the Atlantic. The transatlantic relationship remains the largest of its kind globally. No place in the world attracts more US foreign direct investment (FDI) than Europe.

Welcoming Brussels back to business

16 Sep 2024
All Committees

On Wednesday, 11 September, we joined 14 other associations in welcoming Brussels back from the summer. Taking part at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, we welcomed over 950 guests including Alexander De Croo, Prime Minister, Belgium and Jamil Anderlini, Editor in Chief, POLITICO Europe. The event focused on how to build a competitive and resilient future for Europe. Discussions highlighted the importance on making Europe more attractive for business through initiatives like the European Green Deal. Learn how we can lead Europe towards a brighter future in our Agenda for Action.

US business is a partner of EU competitiveness

16 Sep 2024
All Committees

Mario Draghi’s report on the future of European competitiveness provides an important contribution to the ongoing debate across the continent. It outlines critical avenues to build a stronger EU economy, one that is equipped to face a challenging external environment as well as support the prosperity and security of citizens. The report highlights Europe’s competitiveness gap, which is rooted in well-known challenges including overregulation, a risk-averse approach to innovation and high energy costs. It is evidenced by sobering economic data, such as the growing GDP and productivity gap between the US and EU, and a new forecast by the European Central Bank of weak growth across the eurozone economy.

Advocating for open trade at the WTO Public Forum

13 Sep 2024
All Committees
Trade & External Affairs

From Tuesday, 10 to Thursday, 12 September, an AmCham EU delegation visited the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Public Forum in Geneva, Switzerland. During the trip, delegates met with representatives from a wide range of WTO members to discuss the need for an open and rules-based trade system, WTO reform and the extension of the e-commerce moratorium, among other key topics. By reinforcing multilateral trade, we can drive economic growth, create jobs and enhance resilience in the face of global challenges. 

Streamlining EU tax rules with the Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive

12 Sep 2024
All Committees
Tax

The Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive (ATAD) evaluation is an opportunity for the European Commission to address overlap between different anti-avoidance regimes. This is especially vital in a period where taxpayers and authorities prepare for potential developments in the international tax system. Decluttering duplicative tax rules would decrease costs for companies and free up resources for tax authorities, making the EU a more competitive economy. Learn why the European Commission should align requirements to promote a predictable tax landscape. 

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