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Hearings of the Commissioners-designate: competitiveness must be top of the agenda

22 Oct 2024
All Committees

A call to action from 17 senior business leaders: The upcoming hearings of the Commissioners-designate provide a double opportunity. For candidates, they have a chance to outline how they will translate the Commission priorities into reality. For Members of the European Parliament, they can ensure that boosting the EU economy and its competitiveness stands at the top of the political agenda.

Recommendations to the European Parliament 2024-2029

21 Oct 2024
All Committees

The arrival of a new EU mandate brings a renewed sense of purpose as Europe faces a range of critical challenges, from the continued impact of Russian aggression in Ukraine to sliding economic competitiveness. The new European Parliament will need to act decisively to restore economic growth and bolster the EU’s resilience. This starts with making Europe a more attractive business environment. Read our Recommendations to the European Parliament of 2024-2029 to find out how to build a stronger and more united EU.

Competitiveness and growth at AmCham Hungary’s Business Meets Government Summit

18 Oct 2024
All Committees

How can the new mandate tackle the challenges Europe faces, from Ukraine’s recovery to balancing the Green Deal with economic prosperity? That’s what Susan Danger, CEO, AmCham EU asked while moderating a panel at AmCham Hungary’s Business Meets Government Summit. The panel gave the industry perspective, where Ms. Danger got to the heart of Europe’s biggest issues. Central to the debate was competitiveness and concerns over the EU’s attractiveness as a place to do business., With over 50,000 jobs supported by US companies in Hungary, it is vital we remove barriers to investment. Much of this recent discussion has been driven by Mario Draghi’s report, where he highlighted the need for urgent action to be taken. 

Ensuring more secure transatlantic data flows

16 Oct 2024
All Committees

The European Commission’s positive first review of the EU-US Data Privacy Framework last week puts businesses on both sides of the Atlantic a step closer to a predictable transatlantic data transfers regime. Data transfers are the lifeblood of our digital economy and a key pillar of the transatlantic partnership. The sooner the new framework is implemented, the sooner EU and US businesses and consumers can benefit from secure, compliant data flows. Learn more about the Commission’s review.

Modernising the EU-Mexico trade partnership

15 Oct 2024
All Committees
Customs & Trade Facilitation
Trade & External Affairs

On Monday, 14 October, we met with Rogelio Granguillhome Morfín, Mexican Ambassador to the EU. The conversation highlighted the importance of modernising the EU-Mexico Global Agreement, a critical step towards deepening economic cooperation. Additionally, we touched on the ongoing United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement review and its potential implications for the transatlantic relationship. This review is the perfect time for reinforcing the need for collaboration across the region to navigate evolving trade and economic landscapes. Strengthening these ties remains essential for shared growth and prosperity. 

Strengthening transatlantic cybersecurity

15 Oct 2024
All Committees
Digital Economy

On Monday, 14 October, we welcomed Nathaniel C. Fick, US Ambassador at Large for Cyberspace and Digital Policy. The discussion focused on the critical importance of strengthening cybersecurity resilience, both within the EU uropean Union and globally. The conversation underscored the pivotal role that robust cybersecurity plays in supporting the EU's economic future. Explore more about the role that the EU Cybersecurity Certification Scheme can play in supporting Europe's economic prospects.

Exploring the impacts the US elections could have on the transatlantic partnership

15 Oct 2024
All Committees
Transatlantic

As the US presidential election draws closer, how will the next administration influence the transatlantic partnership? That’s what we heard about on Monday, 14 October during our US elections event, co-organised with POLITICO Pro. Attendees gained insights from both sides of the aisle, hearing comments from Jack Kingston, former US representative and former Republican Congressman and Bart Szewczyk, former US State Department official and former Co-chair, EU subgroup, Biden-Harris campaign. Aura Salla, MEP (EPP, FI) joined the panel to examine how the EU can prepare for the upcoming US administration. With the transatlantic remaining the largest, most integrated partnership in the world, find out why it’s crucial EU and US leaders continue to invest in this impactful relationship. 

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. 

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