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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.

Deepening the transatlantic partnership in Frankfurt

6 Dec 2023
All Committees
Transatlantic

On Thursday, 30 November, Susan Danger, CEO, AmCham EU spoke at AmCham Germany’s 17th Transatlantic Business Conference. Held in Frankfurt, Germany, the conference focused on the potential of deepening the transatlantic partnership considering rapidly developing technologies, security challenges and shifts in international relations. Kicking off the day, Ms Danger joined an EMPOWER HER session focused on women leaders. Afterwards Ms Danger spoke on the importance of strong US ties to both EU Members States and to Europe as a whole. The speakers tied into this theme by making it clear that the attractiveness of Europe is inseparable from the attractiveness of individual EU countries.  

A stroll down memory lane: 60 years of friendship at our alumni party

4 Dec 2023
All Committees

Bringing together former and current staff, our alumni party on Friday, 1 December was an evening to remember. Attended by over 75 of our current and former colleagues, guests had a chance to reconnect against the backdrop of our 60th anniversary. We toasted to six decades as a network that has stood the test of time, while also looking at where our shared connections can bring us in the future.   

Towards competitive and resilient transatlantic financial markets

1 Dec 2023
All Committees
Financial Services

What does the future hold for financial services? On Tuesday, 28 November, AmCham EU explored this, hearing perspectives from various policymakers. Tom Dechaene, Director, Board of Directors, National Bank of Belgium gave his view on the developments in the European financial services space in a keynote speech. Afterwards, a panel discussion covered how the EU, UK and US can cooperate on making the financial markets more competitive and resilient.   

Invested in Europe: fostering advanced manufacturing with Dell

1 Dec 2023
All Committees

Since opening its first European manufacturing site in 1990, Dell Technologies has been contributing to the continent’s extensive technology ecosystem in everything from fostering digital skills to shoring up its supply of components and providing infrastructure. Advancing that legacy, it recently opened two cutting-edge technology testing and research centres to help Europe realise its advanced manufacturing potential. The Customer Solution Centre Innovation Lab in Limerick showcases solutions for real-world use cases and enables businesses to unlock the power of emerging technologies. At the recently re-developed Dell Technologies Customer Solution Centre in Cork, businesses can test drive their datasets and workloads prior to deployment, gaining valuable hands-on experience before going live. Through these facilities, Dell is doing its part to position Europe as a global technology hub.  

Pioneering Reusable Packaging in Germany

27 Nov 2023
All Committees
Healthcare

In 2021 MSD Animal Health became the first manufacturing pharmaceutical company in Germany to implement a reusable packaging system and ship medicines and vaccines in sustainable, reusable boxes.  In its quest to lessen its impact on the estimated 177.9 kg of packaging waste that each EU inhabitant generated in 2020, the company reduced its CO2 footprint by more than 50% and saved more than 80% of water by eliminating disposable packaging. In just two years, MSD Animal Health delivered one million reusable boxes in Germany. In light of its success, MSD is now working to introduce reusable boxes into shipping processes in other countries as well.   

Uniting for a greener future at COP28

27 Nov 2023
All Committees

From Thursday, 30 November, leaders from around the world will convene in Dubai for the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) to discuss strategies for accelerating progress toward the Paris Agreement’s goals. These conversations are critical as we witness the concrete consequences of climate change across the globe. 
 

Advancing financial services and sustainability across France and the EU

24 Nov 2023
All Committees
Financial Services
Sustainable Finance

From Monday, 20 November to Tuesday, 21 November, AmCham EU visited Paris and Strasbourg, France to discuss several financial services topics including the Capital Markets Union Implementation, the Banking Union, digital finance and payments. While in Paris, delegates met with representatives from the European Banking Authority, European Securities and Markets Authority, General Directorate of the French Treasury, the French Prudential Supervision and Resolution Authority and French Financial Markets Authority. On the second day of the trip, delegates met with the Rapporteurs and Shadow Rapporteurs on leading financial service files to discuss the current developments, as well as how to ensure effective cross-border regulation.  

Forging environmental ties in Rome

24 Nov 2023
All Committees
Environment

From Monday, 13 November to Wednesday, 15 November, AmCham EU visited Rome, Italy to discuss top-line environmental topics. Delegates discussed a wide range of issues pertaining to chemicals and circular economy. Throughout the trip, delegates met with a variety of Italian ministries to build closer relationships at a member state level.  

EU-New Zealand Agreement: EP vote is a step further towards a stronger role of the EU in the Asia-Pacific

23 Nov 2023
All Committees
Trade & External Affairs

The approval by the European Parliament of the free trade agreement (FTA) between the EU and New Zealand is a significant achievement for the EU trade policy ambitions and for European competitiveness. We now call on the Council to ratify this deal before the end of the mandate. This deal shows that the EU can still be a credible and attractive trading partner and can deliver on its commitments to openness, diversification and stronger relationships with reliable third countries, in particular in such a strategic region like the Asia-Pacific one.

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