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Legislative framework for the governance of common European data spaces

1 Sep 2020
Digital Economy
Intellectual Property

AmCham EU shares the European Commission’s vision that common European data spaces will create an enabling environment where market participants feel empowered to share, re-use data and be in control of their data. At the heart of the proposed data spaces are the users, who need certainty that their data is handled in a responsible manner. The success of the EU data strategy depends on establishing data governance mechanisms and structures that foster an open and inclusive approach, built on responsible and values-driven data sharing.

We are convinced there is an opportunity to develop a better culture of data sharing in Europe, and that ultimately this will contribute to boosting the EU data economy. AmCham EU and our members are committed to continuing the dialogue with policymakers and stakeholders on the essential role of data in domains of public interest and for the EU economy. For more details on our position, read our consultation response here. 

Intellectual Property Action Plan

1 Sep 2020
Digital Economy
Intellectual Property

As the European Union faces unprecedented geopolitical, economic and health challenges, it has become increasingly necessary to identify key pillars that will support not only the economic recovery, but that also pave the way towards EU leadership on the global stage. We believe that intellectual property (IP) is one of these key pillars. A robust IP system based on strong IP rights (IPR) and appropriate enforcement drives European research, manufacturing, employment and innovation and attracts capital to innovative and creative enterprises.

In addition, IP-intensive industries create high-value and long-term jobs. In order to further strengthen European IP protection, AmCham EU wishes to make the following recommendations: complete the Unitary Patents System; strengthen the enforcement of IPR; adapt the EU framework to an increasingly digital ecosystem; and modernise the EU design legislation. AmCham EU looks forward to continuing the dialogue with EU policymakers on the IP Action Plan. Find out more details from our consultation response. 

Leah Charpentier speaks at the Université d’été du MEDEF

1 Sep 2020
All Committees

On Thursday, 27 August, Leah Charpentier (First Solar), Chair, Communications and Marketing Group, AmCham EU spoke at the Université d’été du Mouvement des Entreprises de France (MEDEF) as part of CommStrat Club's partnership with MEDEF which included a session on how to speed up the industrial sector in France. In her intervention, Leah emphasised the need for a comprehensive industrial strategy to strengthen the EU’s competitiveness in the global economy and the region’s ability to attract foreign investment. Watch the full video here. 

EU-US tariff agreement: a positive development for the transatlantic relationship

25 Aug 2020
All Committees
Trade & External Affairs
Transatlantic

On Friday 21 August, Commissioner Hogan and Ambassador Lighthizer announced that the EU and the US reached an agreement on a set of tariff reductions. The American Chamber of Commerce to the EU (AmCham EU) welcomes the deal as a small but positive step to normalise and deepen the EU-US trade relationship. 

The package is presented as part of a staged approach that will lead to additional deals between the two economies. AmCham EU continues to support every effort to advance the transatlantic trade and investment agenda. The EU-US economy is the engine of global growth and has a key role to play in powering the economic recovery. 16 million jobs rely on the relationship on both sides of the Atlantic.

For more information, please contact Thibaut L’Ortye, Associate Director of Public Affairs (TLO@amchameu.eu).

Queen Elisabeth Competition donations

19 Aug 2020
All Committees

The Queen Elisabeth Competition has been active since 1937 as one of the main music competitions of world-renowned importance. Only WWII had imposed a pause to the event prior to the COVID-19 postponement of the 2020 edition. The competition is relying mainly on private donations and needs financial support more than ever to go through this exceptional ordeal. Donations are vital and will make it possible for the Queen Elisabeth Competition to organise an outstanding and awaited piano edition next year, maintaining its standard of excellence.

AmCham EU co-signs joint industry letter on Schrems II Case Ruling

30 Jul 2020
All Committees
Digital Economy
Intellectual Property

AmCham EU has co-signed a letter to Didier Reynders, Justice Commissioner, European Commission; Wilbur Ross, US Secretary of Commerce and Dr Andrea Jelinek, Chairwoman, European Data Protection Board. The letter reiterates AmCham EU’s concern that the ruling to invalidate the EU-US Privacy Shield has caused uncertainty for thousands of businesses on both sides of the Atlantic engaging in data transfers. 

Statement on cross-sectoral business concerns vis-à-vis the French law on the fight against waste and the circular economy

30 Jul 2020
All Committees
Environment

AmCham EU published a statement signed by 20 trade associations that highlights cross-sectoral business concerns vis-à-vis the French law on the fight against waste and the circular economy: 'Loi relative à la lutte contre le gaspillage et à l'économie circulaire'. 

The statement welcomes France’s ambition and efforts to transpose the revised Waste Framework Directive, Packaging Waste Directive and the recently adopted Single Use Plastics Directive. However, the signatories believe that some specific provisions within the law could be damaging for the functioning of the EU’s Internal Market as they will create new trade barriers and are disproportionate with regard to the stated policy objectives. For more details, read the full statement here. 

Collective redress: New consumer rules must safeguard against abusive litigation

22 Jul 2020
Consumer affairs

The American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union (AmCham EU) supports the efforts of the Commission to guarantee a high level of consumer protection and provide redress to individuals who have been harmed by illegal practices. The newly endorsed proposal on representative actions enables consumers across the European Union to launch class action cases on a variety of legal matters. However, we are disappointed with the rushed final compromise text for the Directive that was agreed at the end of the Croatian presidency mandate.

AmCham EU co-signs letter to Wilbur Ross, Secretary, US Department of Commerce

22 Jul 2020
All Committees
Digital Economy
Intellectual Property

AmCham EU has co-signed a letter to Wilbur Ross, US Secretary of Commerce, calling for the US administration to work closely with the EU to develop a sustainable mechanism for companies to transfer data across the Atlantic. Read the full letter here. 

AmCham EU hosted panel discussion on German Presidency

22 Jul 2020
All Committees

On Monday, 13 July, AmCham EU hosted a panel discussion on the German Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Speakers included: Ambassador Axel Dittman, Director, EU Institutional, Affairs, Brexit, EU Coordination and EU2020 Presidency, German Federal Foreign Office; Dr Wolfgang Dierker, Managing Director, GE Deutschland Holding GmbH and Policy Adviser, AmCham Germany and Dr Heiko Willems, Director, BDI/BDA, the German Business Representation. Cristina Falcone (UPS), Chair, Policy Group, AmCham EU moderated the discussion. 

Germany took over the Presidency from Croatia which dealt with the impact of COVID-19 since the early stages of its Presidency. The German Presidency and the next Presidency trio to will be responsible for leading the road to the economic recovery.

Due to the current pandemic, the German Presidency outlined that it needed to adapt to the new virtual world. The European summit which took place over last weekend, has been the first in-person meeting at the Council of the European Union in months. 

American Hour – where next for the international system?

22 Jul 2020
All Committees
Trade & External Affairs
Transatlantic

On Thursday, 16 July 2020, AmCham EU had the pleasure of welcoming Fred Kempe, President and CEO, Atlantic Council. Mr Kempe reflected on the fact that we are at a possible inflection point in history, described possible scenarios for the future of the international system and discussed the necessity of a strong transatlantic partnership to navigate these uncharted waters. The conversation was moderated by Taggart Davis (JP Morgan), Chair, Transatlantic Task Force and Vice-Chair, Board, AmCham EU. Susan Danger, CEO of AmCham EU, provided opening remarks in which she stressed that cooperation between the US and the EU will always be mutually beneficial.

'Striving to be an inclusive employer': Susan Danger's perspectives on diversity and inclusion

17 Jul 2020
All Committees
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

On the occasion of the publication of our newest brochure, ‘Uniting for diversity: 22 industry contributions to a more inclusive society’, Susan Danger, CEO, AmCham EU sat down for an interview with Nick Pawley, Content Adviser, to offer her perspectives on striving to be an inclusive employer.

Town Hall meeting with Stefano Grassi, Head of Cabinet of Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson

17 Jul 2020
All Committees
Environment
Transport, Energy & Climate
Transatlantic

On 17 July, AmCham EU hosted a Town Hall meeting with Stefano Grassi, Head of Cabinet of Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson. The discussion centered around:

  • the impact of COVID-19 on the Green Deal and energy sector;
  • the role that the Green deal and the energy sector will play in the economic recovery;
  • the renovation wave and the role of gas; and
  • the EU-US relations regarding transatlantic energy cooperation.

This was the last Town Hall before the summer break. These events will resume in September and will take place on a monthly basis.

Court ruling on EU-US data transfers sends mixed signals to business

16 Jul 2020
All Committees
Digital Economy

Brussels, 16 July 2020 – The American Chamber of Commerce to the EU (AmCham EU) acknowledges that the Court of Justice of the European Union has upheld the validity of standard contractual clauses (SCCs). Businesses and economies rely on the free flow of data to provide valued services to European consumers. SCCs are for many businesses the most accessible and stable means to transfer data outside of the EU. Today’s ruling delivers judicial endorsement of the important role SCCs play in providing adequate safeguards for EU citizens.

AmCham EU elects new Vice-Chair of the Board

15 Jul 2020
All Committees
Board

AmCham EU would like to congratulate Kaarli Eichhorn (Jones Day), who has been elected as the new Vice-Chair (Lawyer/Consultant) of the Board of Directors for a two-year term. We welcome Kaarli to his new role, and look forward to working with him.

The election followed the end of the term of outgoing Vice-Chair Meglena Mihova (EPPA). AmCham EU places on record our sincere thanks for her valuable contribution to the board over the last three years.

Transparency the order of the day in AmCham EU’s July plenary

15 Jul 2020
All Committees
Plenary Meeting

On 14 July, AmCham EU hosted a virtual plenary meeting addressing good governance and transparency in a time of crisis, and the role for politics and public affairs. We were joined by guest speakers Heidi Hautala, MEP (Greens/EFA, FI), Vice-President, European Parliament, Wes Himes, President, Society of European Affairs Professionals (SEAP), as well as Renate Nikolay, Head of Vice-President Jourova’s Cabinet, European Commission.

AmCham EU doubles down on commitment to principles of transparency

13 Jul 2020
All Committees
Institutional Affairs

Transparency is vital to a well-functioning democracy. It is also the keystone to a public affairs professional’s integrity. On 13 July 2020, Susan Danger, CEO, AmCham EU signed the ‘Transparency Pledge’, demonstrating our commitment to transparency in our work.

Belgian start-up SAANA wins AmCham EU Youth Entrepreneurship Award 2020

13 Jul 2020
All Committees

The American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union (AmCham EU) and Junior Achievement Europe (JA Europe) are delighted to announce that SAANA, a Belgian start-up, is the winner of the eighth AmCham EU Youth Entrepreneurship Award.

Saana is made up of a team of cutting-edge researchers and experts who designed a unique personalised nutrition platform based on the latest science and a machine learning algorithm to enhance cancer patients’ continuum of care and chances of remission.

AmChams in Europe webinar on the COVID-19 crisis and economic recovery

9 Jul 2020
All Committees

Last week, on Friday, 3 July, the AmChams in Europe network hosted the second live webinar on the topic of The COVID-19 crisis and economic recovery – How is business across Europe and Eurasia responding to these challenges? The discussion during the panel focused on the current reality for business around the world as well as the steps needed for economic recovery. 

The panelists included 4 members from AmChams across Europe and wider Europe:

  • Maxime Bureau, Director for Government Affairs & Sustainability for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, 3M and Chairman, AmCham EU. 
  • Malin Parkler, Country Manager, Pfizer, Chair, AmCham Sweden; 
  • Leonid Tarasov, Country Manager, Delta Airlines, Board member, AmCham Russia; 
  • Ruza Tomic Fontana, General Manager, Coca-Cola HBC for Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Slovenia, President, AmCham Croatia.

The event was moderated by Susan Danger, CEO of AmCham EU in her capacity as Chair of AmChams in Europe.

American Hour 4th of July Special

9 Jul 2020
All Committees
Transatlantic

On Thursday, 2 July, AmCham EU organised a US elections special edition of American Hour. This event was exceptionally open to all. We had the pleasure of welcoming Robert Doar, President of the American Enterprise Institute and Darrell West, Vice President of Brookings. The conversation was moderated by Suzanne Lynch, Washington Correspondent of the Irish Times. In her opening remarks, Susan Danger, CEO of AmCham EU stressed that cooperation between the EU and the US will always be mutually beneficial. During the session we also celebrated the 4th of July with our American Hour: All American Quiz. Test your knowledge by taking the quiz!

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